Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and PTSD due to new evidence suggesting a worsening of symptoms since their last examinations. The AOJ is required to schedule VA examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, including private treatment records from various hospitals and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for heart disorders, stroke residuals, bilateral lower extremity disorders, and other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Service connection is also remanded for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for allergies, hypertension, and left cubital tunnel syndrome as these conditions began during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no in-service diagnosis or treatment of hypertension and insufficient evidence to link it to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, including as secondary to service-connected hypertension due to a lack of an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension aggravates his diabetes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions. The issues include tinnitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left arm, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, low back pain, hearing loss in both ears, carpal tunnel syndrome and radiculopathy, vision problems, and headaches.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure or as secondary to PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus is remanded. An evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to October 19, 2016 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for service-connected PTSD is remanded. Total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension, which is claimed as secondary to PTSD, needs further evaluation and may be aggravated by PTSD. The case will be sent back for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension are denied. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for unspecified metabolic syndrome, right ankle synovitis, hypertension, hypogonadism, and scars of the epigastric and sternum have been dismissed. The Veteran also had his appeal for a TBI raised but not addressed by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as a compensable rating for his residual scar. The evidence did not support an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and residuals of thyroid cancer, finding that the evidence did not rise to equipoise linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding chronic nose bleeds and ventral hernia. The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, ingrown nail of the right great toe, hypertension, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus Type II. The Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, and there is no evidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and missing medical records. The issues include rating for lumbosacral strain, service connection for radiculopathy in both lower extremities, dermatitis or eczema, and hypertension.

The Veteran's muscle aches, eye disability (keratoconus), chest pain, hypertension, and nerve disorder to include numbness in the limbs are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,Additional VA treatment records must be obtained and a supplemental VA examination is needed to address the conflicting opinions of record regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service-connected conditions, finding that he did not submit a claim within one year of his separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and allergy disability as the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records and associated treatment records, as these may document his service in Vietnam and contain pertinent information for his claims on appeal.