Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a cervical spine disability is granted. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his obesity, caused by his service-connected right knee disability, is a substantial factor in causing other disabilities. The claims for service connection for left knee, lower back, left hip, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension has been dismissed. A compensable rating (30%) is granted for COPD with asthma, but the issue of service connection for gastrointestinal condition with nausea and right shoulder rotator cuff tear remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hypertension with kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and lumbar spine arthritis, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the combined effect of these disabilities is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease is granted due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand, but remands for further examination on secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, chronic fatigue (claimed as tension headaches), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in relative equipoise for each condition.,Service connection was established for irritable bowel syndrome based on symptoms dating back to active duty. Service connection for hypertension and chronic fatigue were also granted, with the examiner attributing the headaches to Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral pes cavus with bilateral heel spurs, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, posterior thigh muscle (muscle group XIII), hypertension, inguinal hernia, kidney stones, and generalized anxiety disorder. The claims will be reconsidered in light of the additional evidence received since the April and May 2016 Supplemental Statements of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD, have been reopened. However, the claims are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis for PTSD and no causal link between hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The initial rating for PTSD prior to December 7, 2016 is granted at 70%. A higher rating in excess of 70% for PTSD after December 7, 2016 remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 20, 2013.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award effective September 1, 2001.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, with the effective date being August 30, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for costochondritis, an upper respiratory disability, coronary artery disease, and hypertension has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for costochondritis due to lack of a diagnosis during or within one year after service. The Veteran's current diagnosis is attributed to anxiety rather than service.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty. The intrauterine fibroid rating is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD and some of his other claims are dismissed. The diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that a new medical opinion is necessary to address the onset and progression of the Veteran's diabetes and hypertension. The claims are REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, tremors, and peripheral neuropathy due to potential service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's in-service exposure is presumed.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not linked to active service or secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's hypertension has worsened since his last VA examination in February 2013, and a new medical evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and lumbosacral strain with arthritis were remanded for further evaluation. The SMC issue was also remanded due to the inextricability of the issues.