Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, increased ratings for bilateral foot gout and hypertension due to conflicting VA examination opinions and new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his lumbar spine disability, as he does not have loss of use of one or more lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support a grant of service connection on any basis.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, hypertension (HTN), and erectile dysfunction (ED) are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or caused by his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to his extensive history of smoking.,The Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, but there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to such exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claim.

This decision grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is granted, based on new evidence indicating possible PTSD diagnosis. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for stomach disorder (claimed as GERD) is also granted, due to the presence of GERD diagnosis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding private treatment records and schedule appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is remanded to determine if hypertension should be granted as secondary to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear notification of potential evidentiary sources for verifying an in-service personal assault, and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to clarify the diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the low back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and seizure disorder.

The Veteran's heart disorder has been rated at 60 percent since July 9, 2008. A TDIU rating is granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The issue of service connection for an eye disability other than service-connected hypertensive retinopathy (to include glaucoma and blurred vision) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his dental, respiratory, joint pain, low back pain, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction conditions. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alopecia, vitamin D deficiency, costochondritis, and uveitis of the right eye have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypertension, a cervical spine disability, and right arm arthritis. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in the military.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension (secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease) need further examination and evaluation. The case is being sent back to VA for a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing medical records that may be relevant to the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and consider whether a VA medical opinion is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records, specifically VA treatment records from September 2010 forward. The Veteran is advised to provide these records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diverticulitis, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), headaches, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, high blood pressure, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional clarification is needed regarding whether the Veteran has had ischemic heart disease at any point during the period at issue, and also needs to determine if his hypertension is related to herbicide agent exposure in service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.