Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and finds that new and material evidence has been received to support this claim. The Veteran's current diagnosis of OSA is found to have its onset during his active service, and there is sufficient medical opinion linking it to service. Service connection for hypertension is granted as well.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's migraine headaches, her acquired psychiatric disorder, and her hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension has been aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and sinusitis, and the Board grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective August 7, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent was warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo/inner ear disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, hypertension, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea is denied as there is no post-service diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and urinary frequency, which he believes are either the direct result of his PTSD or were caused or aggravated by medication prescribed to treat a service connected disability. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 1, 2010 for additional dependency benefits was denied as no evidence of the birth of his dependent son [redacted] was provided to VA before April 5, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hypertension and a heart disability, but has denied both on the merits. The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to be related to his service-connected nasal septum deformity with airway obstruction due to trauma. His heart disability was also not shown to be related to his service-connected nasal septum deformity.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service event that could have caused or aggravated the appellant's claimed back disability, hypertension, stomach disability, acquired psychiatric disability (mental stress), or hemorrhoids. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding service connection for multiple cardiovascular disorders and a rating for chronic low back pain with sacroiliitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether his hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension with erectile dysfunction has been rated as 0 percent since August 2008. The evidence does not show that his diastolic pressure is predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure is predominantly 160 or more, despite the need for continuous medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed respiratory disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, or hypertension related to his active duty service. The evidence is against a finding of an etiological relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, is not otherwise etiologically related to his service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease with a hiatal hernia and gastritis, and migraine headaches.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and thus denied service connection for all issues.

An effective date of July 6, 2011 is granted for the award of service connection for asthma. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied as it does not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct examinations and opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders, joint and tendon disorders, headaches, and hypertension, and provide appropriate notice for a personal assault claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his reported exposure and obtain medical examinations.