Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a 30% rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis since January 26, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, retinopathy, and onychomycosis as claimed due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show the Veteran set foot in Vietnam or was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, diabetes mellitus type 2, kidney condition, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension have all been denied.,There is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors underlying the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to April 26, 2013, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia is denied as there is no diagnosis of insomnia due to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not show that his hearing impairment meets the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for initial compensable evaluation for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric, respiratory, and cardiovascular conditions. The claims are also remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his knee and foot disabilities.

All pending claims for service connection and increased ratings are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for colon cancer and the cause of death, as well as a TDIU. The Veteran's hypertension and hemorrhoids were found not to warrant increased ratings, while folliculitis was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, arteriovenous fistula, cerebral aneurysm, and migraine headaches due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to obtain and associate with the claims file copies of the Veteran’s complete VA treatment records since September 2013. The AOJ is also instructed to request authorization for the Veteran's Mayo Clinic treatment records from Jacksonville, Florida. Additionally, an addendum opinion on the cause of the Veteran's left leg fracture should be obtained, addressing subsequent medical evidence reflecting a pattern of falls after episodes of dizziness. An addendum opinion on whether hypertension is related to herbicide exposure and secondary to diabetes should also be provided. Finally, an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s cirrhosis of the liver should be obtained, including its relation to presumed Vietnam exposure, service-connected diabetes, and pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's seizure disability and major depressive disorder are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 70% rating for his major depressive disorder prior to July 15, 2015. He also receives TDIU benefits prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be etiologically related to his hypertension, and thus service connection for hypertension is granted. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is granted with a 10 percent rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between his service-connected anxiety disorder and his claimed disabilities (hypertension, headaches, OSA, IBS, acid reflux).

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), kidney disease with renal failure and periodic bladder infection, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was denied for tendonitis of all joints.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his in-service fever of unknown origin, as well as the potential link to presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected heart disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to sudden cardiac arrest, finding that schizophrenia did not contribute to his death and was not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and service connection for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new examination to assess the severity of his knee conditions.