Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial evaluations of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and migraines, but remanded the issue of hypertension due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II were not incurred in service or related to his period of active duty. The effective date for any future grant of service connection is not specified.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active duty. The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's GERD, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service, herbicide exposure, or a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for nephrolithiasis, cystolithiasis, inguinal hernia, and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran was not exposed to noise during service, but his current hearing loss disability may be related to acoustic trauma experienced during combat.

The Veteran's hypertension has been manifested by diastolic blood pressure readings that are predominantly less than 100 and systolic blood pressure readings that are predominately less than 160; the condition has been treated with continuous medication for control. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants the claim for service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as to provide the Veteran with a medical opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and will be remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. Myron Fink and preparing an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the service connection of hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development of evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denies the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected venous insufficiency.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and/or coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension (secondary to diabetes), peripheral neuropathy (secondary to diabetes and/or low back disability), a bilateral eye condition (secondary to diabetes), and TDIU.