Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received since the last statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional information and documents, particularly regarding the Veteran's employment history and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left tibia stress fracture, hypertension, IBS with fecal leakage status post laparoscopic cholecystectomy, sciatic nerve impairment of the right lower extremity, and sciatic nerve impairment of the left lower extremity have been remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including DM with diabetic retinopathy and ED, CAD, CVA, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and renal dysfunction. The decision found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea and that the disorders were not shown in service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Cataracts, Erectile Dysfunction, Peripheral Neuropathy of Bilateral Hands, Peripheral Neuropathy of Bilateral Feet, and Hypertension have all been denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected psychiatric disorder and GERD, as well as the reopening of his claims for high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus have been remanded. The TDIU claim has also been added to the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pancreatic disease, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and hypertension due to in-service events. The Veteran's statements and medical records will be reviewed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10% disability rating from December 19, 2011 onwards. The effective date for service connection of hypertension remains October 12, 2007.

The Veteran's request to reopen the issue of service connection for chronic headaches (migraines) and eye condition, previously denied due to lack of a relationship with service, is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to PTSD and depression. The evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for asthma is remanded.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and determined that the Veteran is not unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a 10 percent evaluation for a painful hernia scar. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to the Veteran not submitting current treatment records.

The Veteran's treatment at SFBH on December 23, 2015 was for a medical emergency where delay in seeking immediate care would have been hazardous to his health. The VA or federal facility was not feasibly available due to the Veteran's wife's inability to drive him to the closest VA hospital.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 0 percent, as the evidence does not show a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100mm or more and continuous medication for control.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied increased ratings for type 2 diabetes mellitus, nephropathy with hypertension associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathies, and PTSD. The appellant's conditions were rated based on their current manifestations without requiring additional treatment or hospitalization.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service. Service connection for tinnitus is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for gout, hypertension, and alcoholism/dementia due to inadequate examinations addressing secondary service connection.