Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his service due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board has ordered a VA examination and remanded the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective February 11, 2009. The Board restored the original rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability secondary to service-connected left foot paresthesia, and hypertension is not considered service connected.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking the condition to his service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hypertension was caused by any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations in several cases, including right knee disability, eczema, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD prior to April 25, 2017. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI is related to his in-service parachute accident, and service connection for this condition is granted. Other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's disability rating for hypertension with chronic kidney disease was restored from 30% to 60%, effective August 1, 2015. The reduction of the rating was not proper due to sustained material improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a service connection claim for coronary artery disease was denied. The claims for increased ratings of hypertension and right middle metacarpal fracture, as well as the facial fracture claim, were also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection. For the initial rating period from February 13, 2008 forward, a higher disability rating of 30 percent for left shoulder disability and a higher disability rating of 50 percent for depression have also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current disability. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and right knee disability is denied.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established due to lack of nexus between the condition and service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and right knee disability are also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it had its onset during his active duty. The issues of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has aggravated his hypertension, which in turn caused his heart disability. The Board grants service connection for a heart disability to include hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected hypertension and related symptoms, including shortness of breath and headaches. The Veteran contends that without medication, his blood pressure readings would be higher and that as a result of his hypertension, he has 'flare-ups' of headaches and shortness of breath.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability and other disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.,The Veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and also as secondary to hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is more likely than not related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and lumbar spine disability, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating under applicable VA regulations. The claim for TDIU was also denied as it is not related to service-connected disabilities.