Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension and denied service connection for this condition. For diabetes mellitus, type II, the Board determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no need to regulate activities due to diabetes.

The Veteran's notice of disagreement with the February 2007 rating decision was not timely filed, and thus her appeal is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic nephropathy and hypertension, as well as her claim for a deviated septum. The claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy have also been denied.

The earliest date it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran was totally disabled by reason of individual unemployability due to service connected disability is December 7, 2010, the date the combined disability ratings were increased to 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II; left acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma; eye disorder (including diabetic retinopathy); neuropathy; a disorder manifested by numbness of the hands; erectile dysfunction; and hypertension. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, as evidenced by elevated blood pressure readings during his military service and continued after discharge. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable due to blood pressure readings consistently below the threshold for a compensable rating.,For his low back disability, the evidence does not support an initial rating in excess of 20 percent as there is no indication of favorable ankylosis or significant functional impairment. The Veteran's radiculopathy has also been rated appropriately based on its associated neurologic findings.,The separate rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains appropriate given the service-connected lumbar spine disability, and the left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated as 20 percent disabling overall.,For his left shoulder disability, a compensable rating of 20 percent has been granted based on limited motion, pain, and excess fatigability.

The Veteran's interstitial fibrotic lung disease, a service-connected condition, was found to be the cause of his death.,The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his severe pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and further development of the record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine his need for pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. His coronary artery disease has been rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure/HTN, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for VA examinations to address the claims of service connection for a breathing condition, skin condition, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The appeals will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed due to withdrawal. The Veteran's hypertension, which is currently controlled by medication, warrants a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's daughter is seeking various ratings and service connection for multiple conditions, but the appeal has been remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran died due to hypertension and cardiovascular disease, which were not service-connected. The claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's treatment records to determine if hypertension is related to his military service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to service or Agent Orange exposure.