Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing herbicide exposure. The hypertension claim was remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected sleep apnea and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus warranting a TDIU rating. The increased rating claim for the right tibia and fibula fracture is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension, which is currently rated at 0 percent, was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his blood pressure readings consistently remained below the threshold required for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is rated at 60 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing SSA medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including her low back disability, bilateral bunions, hypertension, hysterectomy, and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and residual brain damage with cognitive and psychiatric symptoms are granted. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD, an increased rating for PTSD, and a TDIU. The evidence did not support the Veteran's contention that his hypertension was caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's skin disorder and polymyalgia rheumatica are granted as due to exposure to herbicides during service.,High cholesterol, hypertension, prostate disorder (claimed as cancer), anal disorder, disorder manifested by poor blood circulation, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and disorder manifested by whole body numbness have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes are not rated higher than the current levels. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a back disorder is related to service, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient clinical opinions regarding the relationship between hypertension and PTSD, as well as a need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, and his hypertension is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to the need for additional records from a Federal agency, specifically the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA may have relevant medical records that could help determine if the Veteran's memory and cognitive problems are related to his in-service injuries or jet fuel exposure.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy. The increased rating claim for DMII was denied, but the part of the September 13, 2011 decision that addressed this issue is vacated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and allergic rhinitis. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, increased rating for tinnitus, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral lower extremity joint condition and high blood pressure, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy was dismissed. The issues of service connection for hypertension, insomnia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are inextricably intertwined and will be returned to the AOJ for further development.