Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back disability, lung disability, CFS, sleep apnea, hypertension, IBS, and migraine headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a higher evaluation for CAD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not show a current disability or a relationship to service.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of medical evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis is granted service connection as it was diagnosed during the applicable presumptive period. Service connection for Hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. However, the hypertension claim is remanded as a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to service or secondary to diabetes.

The Board dismissed all claims related to service connection and disability ratings, including those for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), depression, residual scar, right forehead, painful scar, right forehead, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and a psychiatric disability including PTSD. The rating for total right knee replacement is also being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that a 20 percent disability evaluation, but no higher, is warranted for the Veteran’s hypertension. The Veteran's liver disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for hypertension. The denial is based on the finding that the Veteran does not have a disability for VA purposes due to his hearing impairment, while the hypertension claim requires further examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including DDD of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, dermatitis, squamous cell skin cancer, CTS, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Board found that there was no in-service injury or event supporting the claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not pre-exist his second period of service and was not aggravated by it. The Veteran's initial diagnosis of hypertension occurred prior to his second period of service, which is when he claims symptoms began.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure all relevant medical records are considered in evaluating his claims. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for the residuals of a bilateral eye surgery due to new medical evidence. The other issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, periodic limb movement disorder, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA needs to provide a new opinion on the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's varicose veins are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.,The Veteran’s vertigo is not related to service or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus. The examiner found no mention of the vertigo in the Veteran's service records.,The Veteran has a skin disorder, including actinic keratosis, cutis rhomboidalis, dermatographia, angiokeratoma, which is not related to herbicide exposure or pre-existing conditions.,There is no evidence that the Veteran’s hypertension was caused by his service-connected idiopathic cardiomyopathy with CAD and atrial fibrillation and/or diabetes mellitus, type II. The examiner noted that hypertension does not cause CAD.,The Veteran's umbilical hernia is not related to his in-service bilateral inguinal herniotomies or heart conditions. There was no current diagnosis of a ventral hernia during the appeal period.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected idiopathic cardiomyopathy with CAD and atrial fibrillation and/or diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravates his hypertension, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected diabetes type II, finding that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the hypertension was caused by or aggravated by the diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his in-service herbicide agent exposure. An addendum opinion is needed from a qualified clinician.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity in service or within one year after separation. The claim for hypertension was not granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure as the Veteran served in Vietnam. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with his claims.