Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for alcoholism, hypertension, and degenerative disc disease with sciatica. The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease is rated at 50% since February 26, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and undiagnosed illness due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's symptoms of high blood pressure and chronic fatigue are being evaluated further.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to address any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, erectile dysfunction, skin condition as due to undiagnosed illness, obstructive sleep apnea, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, low back condition, hypertension, and right shoulder condition.,However, some of these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The appeals for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II were also denied as there was no evidence showing that these conditions required regulation of activities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be secondary to his already service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of hypertension during active service or within one year after separation. The VA examiners concluded that the hypertension was less likely related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disorder and hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to muscle weakness, vertigo, stomach condition, brittle nails, dental problems, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, impotence, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, coronary artery disease, nephropathy with hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, are sufficient to qualify for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as of June 17, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, urinary condition (secondary to herbicide exposure), low testosterone, and PTSD. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings for PTSD.

The Veteran's heart disease/heart disorder claim has been reopened and service connection is granted.,An initial compensable evaluation for hiatal hernia prior to August 28, 2014 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to June 5, 2017. A 100 percent rating for PTSD was awarded from June 5, 2017.,Service connection for right and left knee meniscal tears, hypertension, sleep apnea, a back disorder, and a left hip disorder were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the right ankle, right shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis, tachycardia, and hypertension.,Service connection is established for left shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis. However, this issue was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and securing updated VA treatment records. The AOJ will also obtain SSA records and determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was diagnosed during service and is presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy, which supports his claim for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to new evidence received since the last decision and issues related to service connection are still pending.