Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's conditions as secondary to his service-connected hemoglobin sickle cell disease, but did not assign a specific effective date due to lack of evidence prior to November 16, 2005.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities played a material causal role in his heart disease resulting in his cause of death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and lung/respiratory disability were not incurred or aggravated during service, and the current evidence does not support a finding of such conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension was not productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The Veteran's post-service blood pressure readings never reached these levels.,For the entire period of the appeal, the service-connected hemorrhoids are asymptomatic or are principally manifested by small to moderate hemorrhoids with mild symptoms, itching, and occasional bleeding without evidence of thrombotic hemorrhoids, excessive redundant tissue, frequent recurrences, persistent bleeding and with secondary anemia, or fissures.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and hepatitis C, but remanded the issue of service connection for keloids on the scalp and neck due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims, including obtaining missing STRs and providing additional medical opinions on the issues of right knee disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, and his service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, coronary heart disease, and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension) have rendered him unemployable.,A total rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD had its onset during service and is granted service connection. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between his hypertension and his service-connected PTSD, warranting further development to obtain an opinion on this secondary theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable rating prior to March 22, 2016, and does not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating beginning March 22, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations for hypertension and erectile dysfunction. The issues on appeal are a higher rating for hypertension and service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying herbicide exposure. VA examinations will be scheduled if herbicide exposure is confirmed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea was likely incurred during his active service. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, depression disability, left ventricular hypertrophy disability, and hypertension disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the bilateral legs is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records from Dr. Raveesh and to schedule a VA dermatology examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and hypertension are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, to schedule a VA dermatology examination, and to obtain an additional VA medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is the result of his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for hypertension, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more, thus preventing a higher initial rating.,Tinnitus was incurred in service and the Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt.