Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Board has remanded claims for service connection for fatigue, low back, joint pain, and skin disabilities due to insufficient evidence of their etiology in relation to service.

The Veteran's appeal for the bilateral flat foot condition was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made. The low back, high blood pressure, and prostate cancer claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and high blood pressure due to potential herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. Additional development is needed to confirm the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam and to obtain relevant pay records.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for refractive error. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for malaria was denied as the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for hypertension was denied because there is no evidence that it began during or within one year after service and there is no link between current hypertension and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol as it is not a disability recognized by VA. The remaining issues on appeal are being remanded due to the Veteran's assertion of increased severity since his last examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical evaluation and consideration of his claims, including a possible extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo is granted, with the Board finding that his current diagnosis of chronic vertigo is related to exposure to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune during service.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), heart disability, hypertension, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to lack of medical evidence addressing these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthralgia of the bilateral knees, hypertension (to include as secondary to PTSD), and chronic headaches due to inadequate compliance with previous remand orders.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted, and his peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are rated at 20 percent each. His peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic nerve) are rated at 40 percent each since June 18, 2013, and his peripheral neuropathy of the anterior femoral nerves are rated at 20 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with paranoid schizophrenia, has been reopened. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection as his current diagnosis of unspecified schizophrenia is not related to service or any in-service stressor. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, sinusitis, sleep apnea, hypertension, chest pain, a dental disorder for treatment purposes, and ear disability. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions like hypertension and hyperlipidemia, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 27, 2016. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to the need for authorization and request of his new private physician's records.

The appeal is granted as the decision to sever service connection for hypertension was improper. Service connection for PTSD is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a causal relationship to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD remains pending.,A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his active duty service and/or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted as the fatal coronary artery disease is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and he had service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure and PTSD, is remanded for further review.