Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion on the issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 28, 2011 for tinnitus service connection and whether there was CUE in the denial of hypertension. The Veteran's claim for reopening a claim of service connection for hypertension is granted. However, his claims for increased ratings for sciatic nerve impairment, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, and left knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the threshold schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back, right shoulder, and hypertension disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder strain, left ankle sprain, and hypertension as there was no evidence of new or material evidence to reopen previously denied service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus required insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The disability has been rated at 20 percent since September 28, 2006.

The Veteran's hypertension is not currently manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more and his hypertension does not require continuous medication for control. The Board finds that an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's hypertension is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, right knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.,There is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus are service-connected as they were incurred during his active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to August 12, 2013. The rating reflects the degree of occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including back, hip, shoulder, knee, prostate cancer, colon cancer, kidney condition, bladder condition, hypertension, head injury from dizziness, headaches, and depression have been denied. The left hand scar is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's essential hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. However, there is insufficient evidence linking the pulmonary hypertension to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to his military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents, and is not due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for ischemic heart disease, left leg amputation, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation and TIAs.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between any service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's death, including exposure to chemicals. The current claim remains in a pending state.