Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's hypertension, herpes, and facial acne have been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent since March 5, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his cardiac disability and hypertension, thus granting both claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The claim of service connection for residuals of stroke is deferred due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin during service and is not related to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The right ankle disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's hypertension is caused by his service-connected diabetes, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, all potentially related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment has been characterized by Level I hearing impairment in both ears prior to June 16, 2014.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD rating from 70% to 50%, effective October 1, 2012. The issue of service connection for hypertension is dismissed as it is no longer in dispute.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions were not shown to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim of a bilateral foot disability was reopened, but the service connection claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including blindness and multiple musculoskeletal issues, meet the criteria for specially adapted housing/home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease caused from the residuals of a neck injury has been reopened, but it remains denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was not established as related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and whether his sleep apnea and hypertension are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes. The issues of entitlement to increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for gastroesophageal disease (GERD) will be addressed in light of this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hypertension that was incurred in, as a result of, or aggravated by service or any service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and is not causally or etiologically related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of pending claims prior to March 31, 2011. The effective date for both hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy was set at March 31, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding the aggravation of his hypertension and psoriatic arthritis by his service-connected psychiatric disorders. The issue of a skin disability is also being considered de novo.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and his hypertension rating remains at 10 percent.