Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development. The issues include PTSD, depression, hypertension, sinusitis, bilateral pes planus, right hand chemical burn, left knee injury, right tennis elbow and arm pain, bilateral shoulder pain, contusion to the neck, and residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and a heart condition, including but not limited to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, congestive heart failure, supraventricular arrhythmia, supraventricular tachycardia and valvular heart disease. The Board found no evidence of an in-service diagnosis or connection.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to the condition and no continuity of symptomatology since service. The appeal was dismissed as there were no issues raised by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer, as well as his TDIU claim due to unresolved issues with missing records and a need for updated medical evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and cervical spine degenerative joint disease are not service connected. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 10% since the beginning of the appeal period, while his cervical spine condition was initially non-compensable but later granted a 20% rating starting from May 16, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches and depression, have been found to cause or aggravate his current psychiatric disorder. His sleep apnea is also linked to his service-connected conditions. However, the Veteran’s DDD of the lumbar spine and hypertension are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran’s OSA is aggravated by his service-connected GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during service and is related to her military service, thus granting service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made. The Board granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hip disorders, bronchitis, pulmonary vascular disease, traumatic arthritis, and TBI. The decision also includes a request for clarification on the appellant's eligibility as a surviving spouse due to potential marriage disputes.

The Board previously denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Court remanded due to ambiguity in the record regarding whether the systolic murmur noted during service played a role in the development of hypertension and other conditions listed on the Veteran’s death certificate. A new medical opinion is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) due to new evidence received after a final July 1994 rating decision. The Veteran's testimony at his December 2017 hearing is considered new and material to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension. The Board finds that remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a VA examination for his hypertension, as there is insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between in-service elevated blood pressure and current hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and depression have been remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.,Additional searches are needed to verify the Veteran's alleged service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation. The sleep apnea syndrome claim remains pending. The rating for the right knee is also being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for chronic venous insufficiency and respiratory insufficiency, chronic. The remaining issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, fungus, stasis ulcer, right leg, morbid obesity, arterial hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease are remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted as service connection for the cause of death due to type II diabetes mellitus, which was presumed related to his military service. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus (for accrued benefits purposes) is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, and PTSD due to outstanding medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is found to have caused his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The effective date for the grant of service connection for CAD is granted as April 2, 2014.