Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is rated at 60 percent from February 1, 2016. The hypertension disability is found to be service-connected.,Higher initial ratings for the diabetic complications of upper and lower extremities are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left knee, bilateral foot fungus, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his service records and need for additional research into his exposure to nuclear testing. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations for his joint and foot conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and kidney disorder were denied in September 2014. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and his hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes and PTSD, thus granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, heart disorder (including CAD and residuals of myocardial infarction), and lumbar spine disorder due to potential issues with the examination opinions provided. The Veteran's PTSD is already service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not etiologically related to any in-service disease or injury, including herbicide exposure. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to such service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's ED and hypertension are not related to his service-connected DM, Type II. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected disabilities and service connection for a cervical spine disability including degenerative disc disease, but granted service connection for neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities, including radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment folder. A new VA opinion is required regarding the etiology of hypertension. The issues of SMC based on housebound status from August 1, 2009 and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the remanded issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for additional development as the VA examiners' opinions were inadequate. The Board also requests updated VA treatment records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cancer, as well as secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis, left knee disability, hypertension, and sinusitis are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to a compensable rating for his service-connected hearing loss, and that his nonservice-connected pension benefits were properly terminated due to his income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent rating, and service connection for right ankle arthritis with instability and chronic strain as secondary to the service-connected disability of degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension and found new and material evidence. The issue of nonservice-connected pension is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and migraines are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status from June 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008 due to insufficient evidence showing a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities that would qualify him for SMC.