Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, chronic right calf strain, hypertension, and plantar fasciitis have been granted to the extent of reopening. However, the claims themselves are denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including diabetic nephropathy and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and acute hepatitis with kidney and liver problems are denied. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for right ulnar neuropathy prior to August 21, 2014, but his claim for higher ratings for PTSD from that date forward remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, right ankle disability, and hypertension were denied due to lack of evidence showing the disabilities were incurred in or caused by military service. The claim for PTSD was granted as the Veteran has provided credible supporting evidence that he experienced an in-service personal assault.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, enteropathy, polyuria, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been dismissed. The Board has also dismissed his appeal for a TDIU due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection decisions were made.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, as well as issues related to hypertension, kidney disorder, stroke residuals, and PTSD. The Veteran is also requested to provide Social Security Administration records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension need further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or presumed exposure.

The Veteran's mild facet arthropathy (claimed as low back injury) and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, left knee replacement, right knee replacement, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are denied service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for hypertension and right wrist injury was granted. Service connection is established for both conditions. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee DJD with painful motion and instability, as well as the TDIU issue, are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, chronic mastoiditis, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disability from September 16, 2013 to March 23, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Hypertension, and Hemorrhoids. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, basal cell carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, adrenal gland tumor, and primary aldosteronism. The remand requires further examination to determine if these conditions are related to exposure to herbicides during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).