Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9413. The other conditions have not been granted service connection.

The Veteran is requesting an increase in special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person. The case has been remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, a new examination to determine his need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, and further development as needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The cardiovascular disorder claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a back condition, a nervous condition, and high blood pressure. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to medication used to treat a service-connected disability, but denied service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, pinguecula (eye disorder), and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their etiology. The exposure basis is not applicable as there was no herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has not more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating, and therefore his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, increased ratings for his knee disabilities and skin condition, and TDIU at an earlier effective date than March 21, 2013. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and therefore grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg neurological disability, increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine conditions, and a compensable rating for hypertension have all been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of left leg radiculopathy or any other neurological disorder of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral eye disorder, and kidney disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of chronic diseases during service and the onset of these conditions after separation from service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and found that he had symptoms of sleep apnea during service and since service separation. The Board also granted a rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs from the Veteran's ACDUTRA period and seeking private treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all found to be related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board grants the claims for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling since March 2010, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity has been rated as 20 percent disabling since March 2010, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not due to exposure to herbicide agents or as secondary to a service-connected condition.