Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it is secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and needs further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the examiner regarding whether hypertension is proximately due or the result of service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2009. He is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD alone, effective from March 14, 2009. The Veteran is also awarded SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, urinary incontinence, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, kidney disorder, and heart disorder. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected hypertension, currently rated at 10 percent, has been denied as the evidence does not show that his blood pressure readings consistently meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and that the disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, skin disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and leg stents are denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his service in Guam. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye cataract and hypertension were denied. The appeal was also denied regarding the rating of bilateral hearing loss, right detached retina post-operative traumatic cataract, right, PTSD, and a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for type II diabetes mellitus from January 13, 2010 is granted and set at 20 percent. The claims for service connection for necrobiosis of the feet, hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied.

The Veteran's tremor disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The hyperlipidemia claim was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's hypertension with claimed kidney infarct has been evaluated as noncompensable, while his left carpal tunnel syndrome claim remains pending. The Board finds that additional examination and/or development is necessary for the left carpal tunnel syndrome claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for high cholesterol and hypertension has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection is granted for bilateral knee disabilities, with the Board finding that the evidence supports the claim.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to May 13, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied. The Veteran's high cholesterol was not found to be a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board found no current diagnoses for the claimed low back, skin, or hypertension disabilities and thus denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues of service connection and effective dates, as well as a sleep apnea examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's stroke, hypertension, and heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension may be related to his active duty service, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions were present within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and erectile dysfunction, have been granted. He is also granted SMC at the housebound rate.,Initial ratings of 20 percent each for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent effective January 2, 2008.,Service connection for sinusitis and left shoulder bursitis has been established. Service connection for multiple sclerosis is also established.