Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's portal hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected Hepatitis C disability with cirrhosis of the liver. The kidney disorder issue remains pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, including renal cell carcinoma, dementia, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, hyperlipidemia, or atherosclerosis. The cause of death listed on his autopsy report was pneumonia due to Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

The Veteran's bilateral tender calluses are found to have started during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a nexus with service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Erectile Dysfunction and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting service connection or an increased rating.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at 50 percent effective May 23, 2017. His coronary artery disease with a history of myocardial infarction is currently rated at 100 percent due to his TDIU status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, COPD, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a comprehensive VA medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, sinusitis, nerve condition, and headaches, all allegedly due to exposure to mustard gas, herbicide agents, and/or other chemicals and/or toxins during active duty. The Board has determined that further development is needed regarding the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chemical burn residuals, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not received. The low back disability, neck disability, arthritis of the legs, right hand arthritis, elbow disability, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, stomach problems, and sinus problems were denied due to lack of in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM, HTN, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a liver condition, all presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not show any in-service disease or injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for TMJ, prostatitis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a left elbow disability, GERD, migraines (to include as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea), right ear hearing loss, and hypertension during his October 2016 Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraines and tension headaches, hypertension, a skin disability of the arms and legs, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, memory loss, balance problems, infertility, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral foot disability. The reasons provided include lack of in-service onset or relationship to service, as well as failure to meet presumptive service connection criteria.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for benign prostatic hypertrophy, service connection for a bilateral inguinal hernia disability, and service connection for hypertension have all been denied. The Board found that the predominant manifestation of his voiding dysfunction was urinary frequency, which did not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating. Service connection for the bilateral inguinal hernias and hypertension were also denied as there is no evidence of their onset during or within one year after service discharge.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of evidence regarding hypertension and its relation to herbicide exposure and PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending again.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory condition, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary hypertension, is not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a kidney disorder to include nephritis and hypertension, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Affording the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, his kidney disorder and hypertension are etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to consider new evidence and provide a complete record for the claims of PTSD disability rating, hypertension service connection, and TDIU.