Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings have been denied. The Board found no current medical diagnosis of a groin pull or evidence linking the rib fracture to service.

The Veteran's PTSD, joint pain, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, sexual dysfunction, and depression are all found to be related to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The right knee and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, left knee disability, left hip disability, brain tumor, tinea pedis, and onychomycosis of the toes are all denied. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while his PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, hypertension, left ear, and respiratory disabilities are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, and hypertension are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran is granted an initial non-compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and as secondary to service-connected CAD.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's sons, J.S. and K.S., were not found to be permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect as of their 18th birthday.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Panic Disorder, is etiologically related to his active service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated in relation to service, potential exposure at Camp Lejeune, and a prescription of propoxyphene during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hypertension, rectal disorder other than irritable bowel syndrome, and vaginal disorder are not related to her military service or a service-connected disability.,As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for tachycardia (heart problems) and hypertension as they were withdrawn by the appellant during his hearing. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, type II are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or CAD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that they are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is a result of his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 60 percent since September 6, 2012. The criteria for a rating of 60 percent for cardiomegaly have been met from the date of claim until August 11, 2009. As of August 12, 2009, the Veteran's cardiomegaly is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.