Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis to the service-connected diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, including VA treatment records. Additional development is required, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of his diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and right and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. His diabetes mellitus type II is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, his tinnitus remains at a noncompensable rating, and he does not meet the criteria for compensable evaluations of bilateral SNHL or any other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was evaluated as 20 percent disabling prior to June 27, 2013, and 40 percent thereafter under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. For migraine headaches, a very frequent, completely prostrating attacks productive of a severe economic impairment were established beginning December 26, 2013. The hypertension was not shown to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the evaluation for diabetes mellitus, a compensable evaluation from November 17, 2005 to November 16, 2007, and TDIU from November 17, 2005 to August 23, 2011 are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran died in February [REDACTED], 2015 from Alzheimer's disease with underlying causes of hypertension and diabetes.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, or diabetes were present in service or within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA addendum opinions and developing any outstanding medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or sleep apnea, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The claim for higher evaluations for left lower extremity varicose veins was also denied as there is no evidence showing persistent edema with stasis pigmentation or eczema.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, or hypertension. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (COPD), hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, right leg disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and/or insufficient evidence to establish a link between them and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lupus erythematosus, and a neurological disability of bilateral lower extremities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing these conditions as being incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for direct service connection. The Veteran's hypertension has not been shown to be compensably disabling within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, left knee disorders, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder and hypertension are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.