Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating as his systolic blood pressure was never predominantly above 200 mm. or diastolic blood pressure was never predominantly above 110 mm.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether his hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, and right knee disorder were not shown to be related to service.,There is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service for any of the conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service and denied both his claim for service connection and his claim for non-service connected pension due to lack of evidence showing he was permanently and totally disabled from a nonservice-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and a total disability rating were denied. The Board found that the effective date for service connection of degenerative changes to both knees with fibromyalgia should be March 26, 2009.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension have been granted. The remaining claims are pending.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability and left foot disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the cause remains unknown due to conflicting dates provided by the Veteran.,Service connection is denied for vitiligo. The cause remains unknown due to conflicting dates provided by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and shoulder disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm disability, and left leg disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and nephropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 1, 2016 and found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in thinking and mood.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disability claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to consider direct service connection. The hypercholesterolemia issue remains pending.

The Board found that the July 27, 2013 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD with anxiety, hypertension, heart attack, back condition, left leg pain, and diabetes did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grants of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are September 24, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lee Memorial Hospital on May 31, 2017 due to VA's prohibition from paying copayments under Medicare.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be the result of his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion as to whether any of the Veteran's conditions that caused his death are related to service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest in-service or to a compensable degree within one year thereafter and has not been shown to be causally related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective April 5, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his active duty service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The issues of service connection for asthma and an increased rating for right lung sarcoidosis are pending.