Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular hypertrophy is rated at 30 percent, effective December 1, 2001. The Veteran also has hypertension that warrants a separate compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected surgical scars and hypertension do not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and hypertension with triple bypass, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present heart disability. The issues on appeal will be readjudicated after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, but his secondary service connection claim for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral lower extremity blood clots are being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine their etiology. The claims will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected left knee, right hip, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and hypertension have all been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and diabetic retinopathy, but granted service connection for hypertension secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical opinions provided did not establish a link between the claimed condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for obstructive sleep apnea established and increased ratings for PTSD, asthma, right shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals, seborrheic dermatitis, and hypertension. The Veteran is also granted TDIU as of August 28, 2009.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disorder in service or within one year after separation, and concluded that the current back condition is not related to active duty. For hypertension, while the Veteran served in Vietnam, there was no indication of herbicide exposure. The Board determined that the current hypertension is less likely due to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and chronic renal failure. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to the secondary service connection aspect.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals from dengue fever is being considered, but the relationship between his hypertension and stroke remains unclear. The Board will need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of exposure to toxins while in service and examinations to determine the cause of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted a rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. Service connection was denied for ED, GERD, OSA, a GI disorder, and a sleep disorder (other than OSA). The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and is not otherwise related to his period of active service. The claim for secondary service connection based on diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD was also denied.