Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, but denied the claim on the merits. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it is related to his in-service exposure to chemical agents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left side pain, dizziness, or hypertension that is related to service. The bilateral eye disorder and coronary artery disease are also remanded for further development.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of cataracts, arcus senilis, pinguecula, and refractive error need clarification regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asbestosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chloracne, peripheral artery disease, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.,The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service on the USS Perry in Vietnam. His claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by a diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, and thus does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's right foot condition, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and/or plantar spurring, is related to service. The initial hypertension rating remains granted at 10%.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to the Veteran's active duty service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to Agent Orange exposure or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. The claims for hypertension, hepatitis B, kidney stones, hemochromatosis, and malaria are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are worsening and need to be evaluated again. The nature and etiology of his hypertension will also be clarified.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his hypertension is related to service. His sleep apnea and ankle/knee/hip disorders may also require clarification regarding their relationship to service.,VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, left hip disorder, and shortening of the left leg.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these other claims and must be deferred until they are resolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in November 2008 and November 2009, but he was granted a 100% rating for hypertensive heart disease effective August 5, 2015. The Board is remanding the case to determine an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's hypertension and left renal cell carcinoma were denied service connection as they are not related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or petroleum, nor is there evidence of direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, heart disorder, and vision loss. The effective date of the grant of service connection for right hand arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, malaria, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hypertension, atherosclerosis, and chronic kidney disease are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation.,Calluses on the bilateral feet were granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran’s cerebral vascular accident is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it began in service.,The remaining issues (left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot conditions) are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, circulatory problems, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy. The reasons given were that the disabilities did not manifest within one year of service separation or are otherwise unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for further medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and hypertension is granted. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the cause of his hypertension.

Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted. Service connection for Hepatitis C is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective January 1, 2017. The reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to administrative error and requests for additional records related to hypertension.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, but it was not rated appropriately. The case is being sent back for further evaluation to determine a proper rating.