Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The examination should determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, hypertension, and high cholesterol is granted. However, the claims for hypertension and high cholesterol are denied as there is no evidence of their onset during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection for a left hip disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, headache disability, hypertension, and a left ankle disorder (secondary to right ankle injury).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to lack of medical opinion on whether it was incurred during ACDUTRA or secondary to obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disorder, skin disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II due to new evidence received since the last decision. The AOJ must review all relevant records and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted service connection. His hearing loss is denied a compensable rating prior to August 8, 2016, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension is denied, but the claim to reopen a skin rash condition is granted. The issue of PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as there is insufficient evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS are rated at 70 percent. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include vertigo, dyspnea, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, GERD, hypertension, neuralgia of upper extremities, prostatitis, sleep apnea disorder, and otitis externa.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hand, osteoarthritis of the right hand, and hypertension. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, hypertension, PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and rectal fistula were denied. The claim for psychiatric disability was not addressed as it was presumed to be PTSD.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and a separate rating for right hand scars.

Service connection is denied for hearing loss, tinnitus, breathing issues, and sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.,Hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and hypertension have been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and maintaining employment since April 2010. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain updated information about his work history, SSA records, and a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, essential hypertension, bilateral renal cysts, prostate disability, high cholesterol, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's hypertension and major depression with PTSD were not service-connected, but he was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability. A TDIU was also granted.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including hypertension, varicose veins with PAD resulting from DVT, low back disability, neck disability, CAD with MI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, deviated left nasal septum, and malocclusion of the anterior maxilla.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed for the Veteran's psychiatric, kidney, diverticulosis, and hypertension claims. The VA will attempt to verify a claimed in-service stressor and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess these conditions.