Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records. The claims for service connection are related to exposure to herbicides, but no such evidence has been provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition other than ischemic heart disease (claimed as atrial fibrillation), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to issues with the previous determinations.

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also denied his claim for TDIU prior to March 29, 2016.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether the service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his obesity, which in turn may have caused his hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty. The claim for a total disability rating due to unemployability was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, prostate disability, diabetes, and thyroid disability due to exposure to herbicides. The records need to be searched again as there is insufficient information in the previous decision regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis is granted. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating due to the presence of flare-ups during which he cannot use his knee at all.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all issues on appeal in June 2018 and July 2018.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and colon disorder is granted. The claims are subject to the laws and regulations governing monetary awards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for urinary incontinence as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, finding that there was no medical evidence linking the urinary incontinence to either condition.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression, hypertension, inguinal hernia, and headaches due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development.

A rating of 30 percent for post Moyamoya disease with residual headaches is granted from May 11, 2015. A rating in excess of 30 percent for post Moyamoya disease with residual headaches is denied.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for hypertension, a back disorder, and right hand tremors have been dismissed. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection for erectile dysfunction has been denied as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of pheochromaocytoma with hypertension and post-operative residuals of partial cystectomy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran’s systolic pressure was frequently close to or at 160 and his diastolic pressure was frequently close to or at 100, requiring continuous medication for control.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for glaucoma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided that the claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and skin disability need further development due to missing records, including service treatment records (STRs) and other crucial documents. The Veteran's representative requested copies of STRs, which were not provided in the initial file.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing acuity levels.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia and/or high cholesterol is denied because it is not a recognized disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for hypertension is denied, with no evidence showing that the Veteran's condition is related to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for heart disability, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are remanded due to lack of verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension.