Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for hypertension, depression, PTSD, adjustment disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and erectile dysfunction prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, bilateral pes planus, hammertoes of the left foot and right foot, as well as TDIU was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral upper extremity orthopedic disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lung disorders (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and emphysema), and posttraumatic stress disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including varicose veins, chronic low back syndrome, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease, are of sufficient severity to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of any incident of his service, including his presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents, to include Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder, skin disorder, and cervical spine disorder are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including COPD, hypertension, sickle cell anemia, and a psychiatric disorder. The appeal includes issues related to these conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension. She contends that her condition began during active duty due to stress from basic training.,The Veteran claims service connection for sickle cell anemia. She asserts that the condition was present at birth but worsened by military service, particularly smoking and marching with a thumb extended during basic training.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, dyslexia (claimed as inaptitude), and schizoid disorder. She contends these conditions are related to her sickle cell trait and stress from active duty.,The Veteran claims service connection for residuals of stroke, which she attributes to her sickle cell trait and hypertension.,She seeks service connection for a left knee disability, alleging injury during basic training while using a floor buffer. She also contends that marching with a thumb extended caused damage to her right thumb.,She requests service connection for a lumbar spine disability, attributing it to injuries sustained in service while using a floor cleaner and marching with a thumb extended.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right thumb condition, alleging injury during basic training.

The Veteran's hypertension and right shoulder disability have been granted service connection, but the hypertension does not warrant a compensable rating. The right shoulder disability is rated at 20%.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension secondary to coronary artery disease was denied. His initial rating for coronary artery disease prior to January 2, 2014 and his initial ratings for parenchymatous liver disease with hepatic steatosis and undifferentiated somatoform disorder prior to August 12, 2015 were also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to October 26, 2007 was remanded.

The Veteran's dermatitis was rated as noncompensable prior to June 26, 2015 and at a 30 percent rating from that date. The Veteran has not been granted service connection for hypertension or PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because the evidence does not establish a relationship between the condition and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease were denied. The VA examiner found the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated a 30 percent evaluation for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was granted special monthly pension benefits based on a need for aid and attendance. The appellant, the son of the Veteran, filed an application seeking accrued benefits due to his deceased mother. He was awarded $1,496.89 in accrued benefits to reimburse him for funeral expenses but denied for other expenses related to her last sickness.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, hypertension associated with coronary artery disease claimed as ischemic heart disease. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this claim.

The Board finds that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death due to accidental ingestion of hydrocodone, and thus denies the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of high cholesterol, hypertension, sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, right knee disability, low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral elbow disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran at his hearing. The appeal for service connection on the issue of right hip disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and hypertension. The claim is now granted as both conditions are found to be related to active duty service.,Service connection for a low back disability and hypertension have been established, with the diagnoses being attributed directly to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for tinnitus, prostate cancer, skin cancer, respiratory impairment (emphysema), heart disability (coronary artery disease), hypertension, or systemic arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder has been withdrawn.