Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as his blood pressure readings have never consistently been at or above the levels required for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding no evidence of a nexus to military service or presumptive exposure. The Veteran's pain disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder are remanded for further development.,Service connection is also denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions: pain disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features moderately severe.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period and continuity of symptomatology was not established. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a nexus between the Veteran’s hypertension and an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and hypertension due to herbicide exposure, requiring further development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify service dates and obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, tinnitus, and LBBB. The Veteran's claim for left knee and right knee disabilities is also remanded. The effective date of the increased rating for LBBB remains August 28, 2014.

The Veteran's low back strain has been granted service connection.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a compensable disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's DM does not require insulin or regulation of activities, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for DM cannot be prior to May 22, 2011 as it was granted on this date.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and residuals of a left hand laceration, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, and also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claim that his service-connected conditions caused or aggravated his glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's heart disability and TIAs are not service-connected.,Service connection for right thumb thenar atrophy is granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to unresolved issues regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and liver condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or secondary to diabetes. The effective dates for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were granted as December 8, 2008.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's vision loss claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to warrant a compensable rating, and the service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including depression and anxiety) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a heart disability, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease (IHD) as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder but these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to effective dates for service connection and disability ratings. The Veteran must be provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) on these matters, and if he files a timely substantive appeal, they will be returned to the Board.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is unrelated to his diabetes mellitus. The Board denied the claim for service connection.