Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder on a secondary basis to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's PTSD and hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for insomnia. His hypertension and nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis were not granted initial compensable evaluations, while his essential tremors in both upper extremities received initial 10 percent evaluations.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as per VA Rating Schedule due to predominantly diastolic pressure under 100 and systolic pressure under 160.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, an upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, and hemorrhoids as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's disabilities were permanently aggravated by his service-connected right leg deep vein thrombosis and left leg deep vein thrombosis. Additional examinations are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, cardiac disorder (status post myocardial infarction), and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. Additional VA examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient opinions regarding their relationship with service-connected conditions, specifically hearing loss, tinnitus, or Meniere's disease. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise for these conditions being related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been dismissed. His claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent from January 23, 2012 to June 10, 2013 for COPD have both been denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is manifested by a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, and requires continuous medication for control. The Board has granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for the veteran's hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is as likely as not present within the first post-service year. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted in 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since February 9, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective August 19, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and headaches are all currently rated. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gouty arthritis has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip scar, residual of a gunshot wound, has been reopened and is granted.

The Board has determined that the service-connected right hip disability contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings for the service-connected thoracolumbar scoliosis, cervical spondylosis, esophageal reflux, erectile dysfunction, and testiculitis has been dismissed.,Higher initial disability ratings have been granted for hypertension (10 percent) and varicose veins of both legs (20 percent).