Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for medical examinations to address the etiology of his hypertension, skin disorder, and hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, status post-bladder removal with residuals of bladder cancer, and status post-prostatectomy with erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, and the Board has also granted service connection for his status post brain stem infarct as secondary to his now service-connected hypertension. The labyrinthitis and right ankle disorder are also found to be related to the now service-connected status post brain stem infarct.,Special monthly compensation on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it was granted by a March 2016 rating decision. The hypertension claim is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's hypertension is found to have developed within one year of his separation from service, and thus is presumed to be service-connected. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The Veteran's current diagnoses of chronic sinusitis, ulcerative colitis, mechanical low back pain and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been assigned initial ratings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death was due to exposure to extreme cold during service, specifically his participation in the Ardennes Campaign. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than July 30, 2010 for the awards of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is not warranted as there was no informal claim or written intent to file a claim prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals, bilateral pes planus. Service connection was also denied for hypertension, right arm condition, conjunctivitis left eye, and rash of right upper thigh and leg.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, BPH, breathing/lung disorder, and back disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable since May 2010. The Board finds that the symptoms of his hypertension more nearly approximate the criteria for a 10 percent rating under DC 7101, warranting a grant of service connection and an initial compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing before the Board. No final outcome on service connection or disability evaluation is determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a present hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension has been consistently controlled with medication, but his diastolic pressure was predominantly above 110 mmHg. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ED was received on September 5, 2008. The effective date of the award of service connection for ED is set at September 5, 2008.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was also received on September 5, 2008. The effective date of this award is also set at September 5, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected disability. As such, service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current cardiac disorder or hypertension related to service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated medical records and an opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including its relationship to service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's low back condition is not service-connected as it is less likely than not related to his in-service symptoms.,Hypertension was incurred during service and has been granted service connection.