Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and to ensure that all pertinent evidence has been considered. The issues of increased ratings for left knee disability, TBI, hypertension, renal disability, and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and will consider additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 25, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran was rated at 50 percent.,For the period prior to February 25, 2015, the Veteran is entitled to a compensable evaluation for his ventral hernia and abdominal scarring. After this date, he is no longer entitled to these evaluations as they have been increased to 20 percent and 10 percent respectively.,The Veteran's cognitive disorder (included in PTSD rating) has also been rated at 70 percent since February 25, 2015.,The Veteran is currently service-connected for PTSD, ventral hernia, abdominal scarring, and cognitive disorder. The RO has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension claim was dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and low back disability has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as his blood pressure readings have not predominantly met the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7101.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart condition and aggravation of hypertension were denied as there is no additional disability shown, and the preponderance of evidence indicates that the Veteran does not experience any additional disability of the heart due to VA treatment.,The claim was also denied because the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by her VA treatment.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded for further development due to potential service connection based on presumed exposure to burn pits during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records prior to April 2009 and providing a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service, including presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher extraschedular rating for hypertension was denied as the schedular criteria adequately describe his disability level and symptomatology.,The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular disability rating for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder was denied because the preponderance of evidence did not support finding that his psychiatric condition warranted a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, with a rating of 10 percent prior to April 18, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms did not cause total occupational and social impairment but caused some occupational and social impairment.

The Board has found that the Veteran experienced a facial fracture in service and granted service connection for residuals of a facial fracture. The other issues remain pending.

The Board denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance of the Veteran's spouse, finding that her spouse can perform all activities of daily living and is able to leave her home.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service. The rash issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart fibrillation, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease/coronary artery disease due to incomplete records and need for additional development.

The Veteran's heart disease is not service connected as his diagnoses do not meet the criteria for ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. His hypertension was presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of shingles, pes planus, and a back disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran demonstrated a compensable degree of hypertension within one year of his separation from service, and that he has residuals of shingles as a result of his service. Service connection was also granted for pes planus and a back disability, but additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to any period of active duty, ADSW, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA service.

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

The Veteran has been granted service connection for hypertension, which is a direct service connection as it was manifested during active service and has been continuous since then. The TDIU claim prior to August 2, 2012, will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on diastolic or systolic blood pressure readings.