Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at a 10 percent disability rating since November 1995. The Board found that the Veteran's history of diastolic pressure over 100 prior to starting medication in 1990, combined with his need for continuous medication, more nearly approximated the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities and maxillary sinusitis with rhinitis are remanded due to the lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current condition. The most probative evidence indicates that his hypertension began decades after service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, hammer toe of the left foot, and hypertension. A 10% evaluation is assigned for multiple noncompensable disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324. The effective dates for these determinations are not specified as they were not provided in the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for back disability. The remaining claims of secondary service connection for hypertension, eye disability, stomach condition, and sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of a medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were not shown to be related to service, despite his assertions.,His vision condition was not shown to have been caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to Tietze's syndrome/costochondritis with left sternal and chest wall injury and pain, residuals of a left abdominal contusion, hypertension, frequent dizziness, residuals of tonsillectomy, and chronic bilateral finger joint pain have all been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, but has remanded the cases of cervical spine disability, low back disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a superficial nerve injury, but the issues of service connection for OSA and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is granted. The Board finds that the current onset of his heart disorder other than hypertension (to include aortic stenosis) during active service and concludes that it is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as pain disorder, is granted. Right ear hearing loss is also granted. However, left ear hearing loss and hyperlipidemia are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a higher rating for thoracic spine disability due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, specifically herbicide and combat exposures. The Veteran also contends that his PTSD may be contributing to his hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals in all matters, including service connection for variously diagnosed skin condition, residuals of a right forearm and elbow GSW, systemic arthritis, COPD, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension due to new evidence indicating Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is granted for dependent edema of bilateral upper extremities, but denied for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, TIA with expressive aphasia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and OCD) as the evidence did not show these conditions began during a period of active duty or were otherwise related to military service.,Specifically, the Board found that there was no evidence showing that the Appellant's current disabilities had their onset during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The Appellant's STRs are unavailable and he did not provide any records from his in-service treatment. He also could not specify when his disabilities began.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hypertension, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, and joint pain. The decision was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.