Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease was granted, and a rating of 30 percent was assigned effective from November 22, 2010. The appeal is also granted for the earlier effective date for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, with headaches and hypertension issues remaining unresolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as 'incident to age' with hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease noted as other significant conditions contributing to death. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcers to his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder impingement with acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease, low back strain, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and scars post-bilateral inguinal repair surgery are all adequately contemplated by the schedular rating criteria.,As such, referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the examiner concluded that his sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and was not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Specifically, hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, foot disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities.,There are no service treatment records or post-service medical records that document any diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety cause or aggravate his hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein. The Board also found that hypertension is not etiologically related to his service-connected DM.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with foot spurs, hypertension, and chronic hiccups are not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than zero percent as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mm Hg or more requiring continuous medication for control.,The Veteran's chronic hiccups do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 8210-8299.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical myelopathy status post cervical disc decompression surgery, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus complications and a July 2004 fall. The claim of reopening the hypertension claim was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling conflict for the Veteran's requested videoconference hearing. The appeal is still pending and will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a dental disability, hypertension, headache syndrome, L5-S1 degenerative disc disease, cervical degenerative spondylosis, and a rash. The decision found that none of these conditions were related to service or could be presumed due to herbicide exposure.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, knee, lumbar spine, ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection in any of these cases.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was not incurred in or caused by his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is more likely than not aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease. As such, the appeal for service connection for hypertension is granted.