Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, right eye vision loss, left eye vision loss, and fatigue have been granted. The claim of service connection for presumptive illnesses from Gulf War - Southwest Asia theater of military operations (claimed as a functional gastrointestinal disorder) is moot due to the already established service-connected conditions. A rating in excess of 100 percent for hepatocellular carcinoma has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic renal dysfunction with hypertension, status post left nephrectomy with residual scar was granted and assigned an effective date of May 8, 2014. The earlier effective date for the 60% evaluation is not established.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during or as a result of active duty service, to include as due to exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left eye disabilities, including ocular hypertension, glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, are not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence is against this claim.

The Board has remanded the claims due to outstanding service treatment records and for VA treatment records from March 2017 to present. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of sinus disorder or allergies related to service. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be caused by his military service. The Board also denied the claims for bilateral shoulder disability and neck disability as they were not directly related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke was caused by or resulted from his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The appeal for hypertension is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and will be returned to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, vision impairment, and skin disorder of the feet have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. However, he was granted service connection for dizziness with blackouts.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and service records. The Veteran's claim of hypertension secondary to PTSD is also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney disorder, edema, neuropathy, left foot disorder, and right foot/ankle disorder. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are not related to his service, including Operation Whitecoat. The kidney disability is also not linked to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected PTSD and depression disorders, as well as whether it is related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The remaining issues are still under consideration.,The Veteran has multiple conditions that he is seeking service connection for, including headaches and calcaneal spurs and pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes, prostate cancer, and hypertension are not related to his active service. The claims for increased ratings of left knee disabilities and entitlement to a TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and basal ganglia stroke are related to his military service, including as due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and low back disability, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or exposure to herbicides/mustard gas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed left elbow disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. Further development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression.

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for further development and adjudication, including consideration of a CUE claim and issuance of an SOC on the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus.