Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied, with the effective date being October 11, 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for hypertension as secondary to her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence presented is in equipoise, with a positive nexus opinion from Dr. P., who opined that the Veteran’s hypertension was more likely than not caused by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Service connection was denied for hypertension, headache disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits determinations, and an addendum opinion on the etiology of her left thumb disability. The effective date issue is also being addressed.

The Board denied a compensable rating for hypertension as the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as incurred in service. The issue of an initial rating for PTSD and the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of pneumonia, hypertension, left knee surgical scars, migraine headaches, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is also remanded for further evaluation on his left knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since August 18, 2018. Service connection for a low back disorder and hypertension has been reopened but denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephrolithiasis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic nephrolithiasis is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to outstanding VA records from his wife and need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma, evaluated as 20 percent disabling is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 13, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy for the right upper extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy for the left upper extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded as there are outstanding records from his wife and need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder associated with residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of recent hospitalization records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded as there are no current audiometric findings in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension (high blood pressure) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his medication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and liver disorder due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. For hypertension, the examiner is asked to consider the Veteran’s Reserve service exposure to herbicide agents. For liver disorder, an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether it is secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to outstanding service treatment records, need for VA examinations, and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and sleep apnea have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The appeal of service connection for malaise and fatigue, independent of service-connected CAD, is denied.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied.

The claim of service connection for skin cancer is granted, and the claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded. Service connection for skin cancer is established due to herbicide exposure during service. The claim of service connection for hypertension requires a VA examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have produced total occupational impairment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, prostate cancer, and diabetes as there was no evidence of these conditions during the Veteran's period of service or within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an eye disability, a kidney disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder due to new and material evidence. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims of service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition are remanded, as is the claim for service connection for depression.