Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his need for aid and attendance or housebound benefits. The referred issues of service connection will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Arkansas and updating the supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and heart condition are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's GERD as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea.,A compensable initial evaluation for the Veteran's left foot fracture prior to February 22, 2016, and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent thereafter are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension due to additional development being needed, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion and attempting to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (secondary to diabetes and/or PTSD), alcoholism (secondary to PTSD), joint pain (including fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis) (secondary to PTSD), gastrointestinal condition (secondary to PTSD), initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD have all been denied. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaints or findings of hearing loss, asbestosis, hypertension, alcoholism, joint pain, gastrointestinal condition, diabetes mellitus, or CAD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no direct evidence linking it to his military service or a service-connected condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to presume service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's high blood pressure manifested within a year of his separation from active duty. The gastrointestinal issues are not considered service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for this condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for nephrolithiasis and denied an increased rating for hypertension. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not due to his presumed in-service herbicide agent exposure during Vietnam service. The claim will also be reviewed to see if new evidence has reopened the issue of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for orthopedic disabilities of the left and right foot, as well as hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and genitourinary disorders are not service connected, either presumptively or secondary to PTSD. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of PTSD and referral for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and certain hearing loss disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in accordance with VA regulations for PTSD, and the Veteran's other psychiatric diagnoses did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the issues of service connection for hypertension, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 7, 2010, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 7, 2010. The effective date for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for left acromioclavicular separation was set at December 13, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying whether there are available VA treatment records. The appellant's claims for service connection on appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not require insulin and a restricted diet prior to July 14, 2015. He has not required more than two doses of insulin per day or a restricted diet resulting in episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia requiring hospitalization.,Prior to April 13, 2007, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes did not include peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. There was no evidence of weakness or impaired reflexes.,From April 13, 2007 to June 18, 2009, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of numbness in his toes which would come and go and occasional leg pain, with nothing rising to the level of mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,From June 18, 2009 to September 20, 2012, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of peripheral neuropathy that was no more than mild in each leg. After September 20, 2012, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of moderate peripheral neuropathy in each leg.,The Veteran's hypertension has not resulted in blood pressure readings predominantly higher than 160 systolic or 100 diastolic.,The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not include actual or approximated deformity of the penis or testicles.

The Veteran's service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was granted effective from August 20, 2009. The case is now before the Board with an earlier effective date established and initial ratings assigned.