Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and he also has various other disabilities in his back, hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, shoulders, and hips. The Board finds these claims are granted.

The case is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or hypertension as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for cerebral vascular accident, back condition, and hypertension were denied as they are not related to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification on his exposure to TCE and other carcinogens during service, as well as to provide medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have been granted service connection. The claims for a compensable evaluation for condyloma acuminate, service connection for dermatophytosis, and service connection for heart disability are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and microalbuminuria was denied. His claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, was not established. The issue of service connection for PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and hepatitis C. The Veteran will be asked to provide medical records from any healthcare providers who have treated him since service.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral leg rash have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues listed, including consideration of new evidence. The Veteran is also advised to submit a timely substantive appeal if he wishes to perfect his appeal on any of these issues.

The Veteran's vertigo was at worst manifest by occasional dizziness during the rating period on appeal, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of established herbicide exposure and for clarification of the November 2014 private medical opinion.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in several conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus, atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and a surgical scar of the sternum. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, low back disability, and hypertension. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him disabled to the extent that he requires the regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated noncompensably disabling as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity, is currently rated 10 percent disabling and does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied prior to May 17, 2010. Beginning on April 23, 2010, the Veteran is now assigned a 100% evaluation for CAD.,The Veteran's hypertension has been evaluated at 10%. The Board found that his hypertension did not meet criteria for higher evaluations based on readings being predominantly 110 or more for diastolic pressure or predominantly 200 or more for systolic pressure.