Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection, including ischemic heart disease, hypertension, shoulder disability, prostate disability, residuals of right lower inguinal injury, eczema, bilateral foot fungus, ulcers, GERD, Parkinson's disease, and COPD.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an error in the January 2017 VA examiner's opinion regarding the date of onset of hypertension. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for macular degeneration, hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability have been denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his hypertension disability was denied as he failed to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause shown.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at the highest possible level of 40 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disability, hip disability, or bilateral arm disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and renal dysfunction associated with it are granted initial ratings of 10% and 30%, respectively, effective June 7, 2011. Service connection for an anxiety disorder is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are all service-connected as they were caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's death was not proximately caused by VA treatment, and the appellant's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.,The appellant's request for increased VA death pension benefits is denied as her income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).,There are no accrued benefits due to the appellant as there were no claims pending at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from November 2013. He also has service-connected hypertension and erectile dysfunction. The Board granted an initial increased disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since January 30, 2012. The effective date for this rating is set to that date.

The Veteran's anxiety and hypertension disorders are currently being considered for service connection, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to properly assess these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed for possible service connection, including as secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, or due to herbicide exposure. The Board has ordered additional examination and opinion regarding these theories.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his tinnitus disability is not rated higher than the current 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further evaluations. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be reconsidered after the development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and therefore grants service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has established service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. Service connection for hypertension remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and Type II diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The claims for basal cell carcinoma, rectal cancer, hypertension, and parathyroid condition are pending.,Further VA examinations will be required to determine the etiology of these conditions.