Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further clarification and development, including a medical opinion regarding its relationship to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and updating the claims file with any new information. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,From July 30, 2007 to July 16, 2009, the Veteran's iatrogenic hypothyroidism was manifested by fatigability, constipation and mental sluggishness. From July 17, 2009 to December 28, 2011, it was manifested by weight gain and mental disturbance. From December 29, 2011, the Veteran's iatrogenic hypothyroidism was manifested by cold intolerance, mental disturbance and sleepiness.,From July 30, 2006 to October 31, 2008, the Veteran's history of laryngeal carcinoma was manifested by hoarseness. From November 1, 2008, it was manifested by hoarseness with thickening of cords and pre-malignant changes on biopsy.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, as the evidence shows that he requires continuous medication to control his condition throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a compensable evaluation for hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's hypertension was first noted years after separation from service, and his diabetes was not linked to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric conditions and orthopedic issues, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that he requires this assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and etiology opinions due to the inadequacy of the January 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected, as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service and the medical opinion does not establish a link to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and denied his claim. For his right knee disability, he is currently rated at 20 percent for residuals of medial meniscectomy under Diagnostic Code 5258. The criteria for ratings in excess of 10 percent and 30 percent for limitation of motion have not been met. However, the Veteran was awarded a separate 10 percent rating for valgus deformity beginning October 22, 2012, and a 30 percent rating for instability from July 17, 2009 to July 18, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and assigned a noncompensable rating. For diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, the Veteran received an initial compensable rating effective October 7, 2015.

The Board has determined that the current record is incomplete and requires additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C. The secondary service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2; hypertension; and stroke are inextricably intertwined with the issue of severance of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805 or 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815, finding that she does not meet the eligibility requirements due to her father's service in Korea and lack of qualifying exposure to herbicides.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's Reserve service and providing medical opinions on various claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions, including congestive heart failure. The cause of death listed on the revised death certificate was pneumonia.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes, neuropathy, and hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.