Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in these conditions, or any link between them and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining personnel records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and a heart disability (atrial fibrillation) as secondary to herbicide exposure, service-connected disabilities, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including identifying specific aircraft he serviced during his active duty.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a respiratory disorder (COPD), sleep apnea, and GERD. The appeals were decided on the merits as there was no indication of any presumptive exposure to herbicides or other service connection theories.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and postural dizziness, finding that these conditions were permanently aggravated by the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The other claims of service connection have been denied as there is no evidence linking the current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for higher ratings in several of his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, lumbar disc disease with narrowing at L5-S1, left knee arthritis with total knee arthroplasty, and right knee arthritis. The Board is dismissing these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for preparation of an SOC and consideration of his claims, including TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his active duty service and does not meet the criteria for service connection, either directly or on a secondary basis.

The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for ED, a left wrist condition, a left ankle condition, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric condition (including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression) due to their interrelated nature. The claim of service connection for hypertension is also being remanded as it may be related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), including as due to herbicide exposure. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not show that his diastolic pressure readings are predominantly 110 mm or more, nor do systolic pressure readings consistently reach 200 mm or more.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected PTSD or coronary artery disease.

The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeals for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are REMANDED.

The Veteran's current hypertension disability is found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and thus the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension is granted.