Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of sleep apnea and hypertension, but denied for other conditions. The reduction in ratings for tinea pedis was upheld.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence indicating that his acquired psychiatric disorder or PTSD is related to his service. The new medical evidence of record does not show a link between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, as his PTSD and diabetes impacted his employment but were not the sole cause of his inability to work.

The Veteran's tinnitus is denied as it is not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable degree within the presumptive period and no direct relationship to service, including herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's skin disability is denied due to lack of a nexus to service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection. The Veteran's right knee scar is granted a disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, from December 9, 2015. Other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more at any time during the period on appeal. As such, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability requiring regulation of activities for diabetes, or any relationship between exposure to herbicide agents during service and hypertension.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is already considered in his service-connected PTSD rating, so separate service connection for this condition is denied.,There is no evidence of hypertension or GERD during service and they were not shown to be related to service. Therefore, these conditions are also denied as service connected.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.,Service connection was also denied for PTSD due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU was also denied due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back condition, cataracts, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disability, hypertension, stomach condition (including dysmenorrhea), sickle cell anemia, thyroid disease, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's initial claim of hypertension has been granted with a 10% rating. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for an opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for tinnitus, and denied service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's skin disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hyperlipidemia, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure during his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right side numbness and weakness, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma and COPD, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. His claims for high cholesterol, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Okinawa and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded.