Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye retinal drusen was dismissed because he withdrew his claim at a hearing. The Veteran's hypertension, rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7101, had diastolic pressure predominantly less than 100 and systolic pressure predominantly less than 160 throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diverticulosis, colon polyps, kidney stones, cysts and lumps, facial acne, headaches, and depression. The remand requires obtaining private medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a low back condition was denied due to lack of evidence of chronic disability.,Service connection for left knee disability is not granted as there is no current diagnosis.,Hypertension is not service connected as it did not begin during service and has no link to in-service events or diseases.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be service-connected, likely due to high-risk sexual activity while in service.,An earlier effective date of July 9, 2012, for the award of service connection for left eye conjunctivitis/ptosis is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and nummular eczema associated with dyshidrosis are granted as secondary to his service-connected skin disability. The Veteran is also granted a 60 percent rating for his nummular eczema, the maximum schedular rating under DC 7806. Service connection for high cholesterol and high triglyceride are denied. Service connection for back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus to include as secondary to skin disability induced obesity is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee condition (also claimed as bilateral knee condition and right leg condition), hypertension, and hepatitis C due to inadequate examination opinions and outstanding service treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues regarding entitlement to service connection for left knee disorder, hypertension, a left ankle disorder, numbness of left hip, and numbness of right hip, each claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claim of service connection for hypertension, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain, muscle pain, hypertension secondary to PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart condition (claimed as cardiovascular symptoms), and headaches. The reasons include the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as secondary to hypertension. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to the relationship between the conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent disability rating for hypertension secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted with an effective date of May 4, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's conditions, including his back pain and neuropathy, to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The cause of death listed on the official certificate was pneumonia, secondary to lung cancer and acute renal failure, with COPD contributing significantly.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart problems, hypertension, and related peripheral neuropathy and dementia due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be returned to the Board after the AOJ reviews new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all conditions and issues except hypertension, PTSD/Depressive Disorder with Memory Loss, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, GERD, back disorder, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left hand disabilities, diverticulitis, chronic constipation, urinary incontinence, arthritis of the entire body, fibromyalgia/arthralgia, erectile dysfunction, rhinitis, migraine headaches, fungus of the feet, sinusitis, hypercholesterolemia. The Board dismissed these appeals as per the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding treatment records and SSA records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's current hypertension was not related to service, as there is no evidence of a diagnosis during or within one year after service. The Board found that the available evidence does not support direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits due to lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated income information from SSA.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,Nonservice-connected pension was also denied due to income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for an anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.