Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, GERD, DJD of the right foot, hypertension, and arthritis of the AC joint of the right shoulder were denied as there was no credible evidence supporting her claimed stressors or diagnoses. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and a rating of 10% for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, skin cancer, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that the Veteran meets criteria for a 50 percent evaluation prior to October 1, 2015, and a 70 percent evaluation thereafter for his PTSD. However, the issues of service connection for hypertension and skin cancer are not addressed as they were previously resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current heart disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent effective August 13, 2016. His hypertension remains at a 10 percent rating.,There is no current diagnosis of a headache condition or right hand disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shrapnel wounds of the upper back and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were reopened, with the former being granted and the latter denied.,Service connection was established for residuals of shrapnel wounds in the upper back. The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not considered to be service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating to 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating. Service connection for hypertension was not addressed as it is being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during active service, was not shown within one year of separation from active service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol and cocaine use disorder. His hypertension is found to be secondary to his cirrhosis of the liver, while his chronic kidney disease is associated with his hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

Essential hypertension is granted as a result of service connection due to its onset within one year after separation from active duty.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the evidence does not establish a nexus to service. However, essential hypertension is presumed incurred in service.,Asthma to include service-connected chronic bronchitis is granted with a 30% rating from June 26, 2012 to January 24, 2013.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability, hypertension, and skin condition due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims have been remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the Veteran's increased rating claim for hearing loss and his service connection claim for skin cancer.

The Board has reopened the claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and hypertension due to new evidence showing potential exposure during service. However, as there was no actual exposure to herbicides or other presumed conditions in Vietnam, these claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for other conditions. Additional development is needed to obtain complete STRs and SPRs, conduct a VA examination, and provide the Veteran with an SOC.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, a chipped tooth, thyroid disorder, right knee disorder, left wrist ganglion cyst, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and TMJ. The appeals are now pending before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective July 13, 2010. The Veteran's hypertension and kidney disorder are related to herbicide exposure, while hearing loss is not currently shown in either ear.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension, along with his reported symptoms during service and since service separation, are sufficient to place in equipoise the question of whether the current hypertension was incurred in service and is etiologically related to the high blood pressure readings in service. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and updated treatment records.