Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for OSA is also granted.,An effective date prior to July 8, 2014, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension, as there is no opinion on whether it is related to herbicide agent exposure.,For rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis was diagnosed but not linked to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral vascular disease, status-post right above-knee amputation. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by active service, nor is it presumed to have been incurred therein. For the same reasons, service connection for peripheral vascular disease was also denied.

The Veteran's initial disability evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities remain denied, but a higher rating is granted from November 25, 2015.,Service connection for hypertension remains remanded due to insufficient explanation regarding the relationship between the condition and service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, specifically his presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Additionally, there was a need for an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's PTSD aggravates his hypertension.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back pain, and hypertension. The appeals are being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a copy of the VA examiner's CV.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for sleep disorder, hypertension, and increased rating for bilateral foot disability prior to August 20, 2013. The Veteran's current 50 percent rating for her bilateral foot disability is maintained.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death. The VA medical opinion concluded that the Veteran’s heart failure was not related to his inability to exercise, which is a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of his claims. The appeals are remanded for further development including VA examinations and opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating, finding that the evidence did not show forward flexion to less than eighty degrees or any ankylosis. For sleep apnea and hypertension, no VA examination or opinion was provided, leading to remand.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Service connection was denied for hypertension, a skin disability, and headaches.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including as aggravated by diabetes mellitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be further developed with the provision of medical opinions.

The Veteran's back condition and hypertension are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The Board also found hypertension secondary to coronary artery disease, but the claim was remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and disability manifested by blood in the stool are not related to his military service, including reserve service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 13, 2010 for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran required regular aid and attendance from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, COPD, and a heart disorder other than hypertension due to insufficient evidence of record.