Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to the Veteran's pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes and hypertension, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and concluding that the conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric condition, finding no evidence of their onset during service or secondary to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for a low back condition was also denied as there is no current diagnosis in the low back aggravated by or incurred coincident with service.,The Board noted that while the Veteran had complaints of back pain and diagnoses of dorsolumbar scoliosis during service, these were not shown to have preexisted service. The VHA expert concluded that any current degenerative disc disease is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As a result, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a left hand injury, sinus condition, hypertension, hepatitis C, and headaches. The claim for service connection of neck disability was granted but with mixed results (some issues were granted while others were not).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, and heart disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he argues is secondary to his service-connected PTSD or due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board has requested a new VA examination to address the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and both PTSD and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that hypertension did not pre-exist service and was not shown to have manifested within one year of discharge. The Veteran's in-service blood pressure readings were noted but did not meet the criteria for hypertension, and there is no evidence showing a diagnosis or treatment for hypertension during service.

The Veteran's death was caused by a probable myocardial infarction, with underlying causes including hypertension and alcohol liver cirrhosis. The cause of the seizures is unclear, but they are not service-connected.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a renal disability and hypertension. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a renal disability was granted in January 2015, resolving this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability, hypertension, and jungle rot of bilateral feet were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of such requiring continuous medication for control prior to September 28, 2015. From September 28, 2015 forward, the Veteran's hypertension was manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more and systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more, warranting a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the requirement of continuous medication.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with infarction did not result in any episodes of acute congestive heart failure, or a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs. His left ventricular dysfunction had an ejection fraction over 50 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension is manifest by diastolic pressure predominantly above 100 and systolic pressure predominantly above 160, meeting the criteria for a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inactive Naval Reserve records and providing a VA examination to address the Veteran's hypertension and heart disease claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg sciatica, but denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims of service connection for hypertension, stroke (residuals), and heart disorder are being remanded for additional development.