Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication since at least 2006, is now rated as 10 percent disabling from July 1, 2011.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder substantially contributed to his death from coronary artery disease, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected conditions did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more. The cervical spine disorder did not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, and the left knee disorder did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability of the right ear is granted service connection. The appeals for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are dismissed, and the appeal for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety) is remanded.

The Veteran's chronic lymphocytic leukemia is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The cause of death, which includes the Veteran's CLL and other conditions, was found to have contributed substantially to his death.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine spondylosis, right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and left shoulder and arm disability for further development. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as the condition is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for hypertension granted due to herbicide exposure, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's ankle disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to November 12, 2012 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. His right scalp scar has been rated as 30 percent disabling since February 27, 2013. The Veteran’s right temple scar is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Veteran's ankle disability and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether his hypertension is aggravated by PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for hypertension was denied as there is no relationship between the condition and military service, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied because the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's portal hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.,Service connection for essential hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and Parkinson’s disease were withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and residuals of a stroke have been dismissed as there is no evidence to support service connection.

The Veteran's death was not due to service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for hypertension and degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the right knee were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in November 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service and is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as hypertension. The effective dates for service connection will be determined based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder was granted. Service connection is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disorder, metatarsalgia (left foot), right leg disorder, and left leg disorder are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and erythrocytosis (high red blood cell count), but granted service connection for steroid-induced rosacea. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.