Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD with depression NOS is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The condition has caused significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, arthritis of the left foot, and tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right ankle. Service connection was granted for hemorrhoids, but with a non-compensable evaluation. The Veteran's right foot arthritis and surgical scars were also not granted increased evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for several of his claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to service or to have manifested within one year of separation, and there is no evidence that it arose during service. The Board finds the claim for service connection denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of hypertension in service or within one year post-service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset in active service and was not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The hypertension diagnosis is from 2016, which does not meet the one-year presumptive period for hypertension. The left knee disorder has no evidence of onset during service.,The Board denied all three issues on appeal as there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not present during active service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for hypertension is therefore denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted, and the remaining issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of claims by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have onset in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service periods and obtaining service treatment records from the Army Reserves. The issues include reopening a claim for bilateral inguinal hernias, entitlement to hypertension service connection, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for diabetes was not granted, chronic otitis externa did not warrant a compensable rating, the lumbar spine disability received an increased rating but remained at 20 percent, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, knee disorder, ankle disorder, kidney disorder (hypertension), heart disorder (hypertension), erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities were not granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes was rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to audio malfunctions during a previous videoconference hearing. The Veteran is required to appear for another videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension preexisted his first period of active service and is not related to such. The Board also found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's gout was aggravated by his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to additional development being needed, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and IBS. The medical opinions provided do not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing at the St. Louis RO, and further development is needed before a decision can be made.