Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper right extremity, lower right and left extremities are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not related to active service or any incident of service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his hypertension and TDIU claim. New examinations are required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, ankle disorders, knee disorders, hip disorders, and psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been granted. The issue of hypertension is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and migraine headaches are service-connected as they were present during her active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and found that the reduction of the prostate cancer disability rating from 100% to 10% was proper by operation of law. The Veteran's initial 100% evaluation for prostate cancer residuals has been reduced to 20% effective November 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and verifying herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not etiologically related to service, including as secondary to exposure to an herbicide agent. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be incurred in and caused by his active duty service.,While the Veteran has hypertension, it was not proximately caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's OSA is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service and is not related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.,Hypertension was not shown to be present within one year of separation from service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis that meets the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(1).,Peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service and is not related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.,ED was not shown to be present within one year of separation from service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis that meets the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(1).,CFS is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service or to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year after separation from service, and there are no objective indications of qualifying chronic disability.,Fibromyalgia is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service and is not related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension was granted, and he is now rated at 10% for this condition. The claims for service connection for various joint conditions (left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, right shoulder) and restless leg syndrome were reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial in 1990.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for hypertension, including consideration of secondary service connection and exposure to herbicides. The evaluation and effective date issues are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of PTSD or hearing loss, and his tinnitus was not linked to service.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis A, and erectile dysfunction. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for a heart disability, finding that no new and material evidence was presented to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability had its onset in service and is related to his military service. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's hypertension to his service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and thus denies the claim for service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is now rated at 60 percent effective April 27, 2016. His hypertension was granted as due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether his hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD.