Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, to include as due to in-service herbicide exposure or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, finding that the available schedular evaluations are adequate to address the Veteran's disability.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, GERD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including RLS, COPD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, low back disability, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary medical records and conduct appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, and lymphedema are all found to be secondary to the service-connected obesity.,Service connection is granted for these conditions as they are deemed to have been caused by or aggravated by the service-connected obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for MDS with anemia, finding that the Veteran's benzene exposure in-service is at least as likely as not a contributing factor to his development of MDS. The issues of secondary service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and enlarged spleen are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and chronic kidney disease are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's Grave's Disease and Thyroid Disability are service-connected.,Hypertension, COPD/emphysema, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Upper and Lower Extremities, Acquired Psychiatric Disability (other than PTSD), Right Shoulder Disability, Stomach Disability, and Neck Disability have not been found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, both of which are found to have been incurred during active duty. The effective date remains pending as it is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated neuropathy, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for prostate condition including prostatitis and prostate cancer. The Veteran is not shown to have any current disability involving frostbite of the right lower extremity. Service connection was granted for hypertension based on new evidence received after a previous denial. No effective date has been assigned.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination for the Veteran's PTSD. The appeal will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not show that his diastolic blood pressure was predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure was predominantly 200 or more. Therefore, a higher rating for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling appropriate examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, PVD of the legs, right hand arthritis, and left hand arthritis are all found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea developed as a result of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The appellant's need for aid and attendance or housebound status will be evaluated.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hypertension, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control and is not manifested by diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure of predominantly 160 or more, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension due to incomplete medical records, including those from Parkland Hospital in Dallas dated in 1975. A VA examination will be conducted by an examiner with appropriate expertise in cardiology to determine if the Veteran has had a heart disability at any time during this appeal since 2004 and whether it is as likely as not related to service. The examiner should also address whether hypertension was first manifested in service.