Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, entitlement to a reduction in rating for his schizophrenia (now PTSD), and entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD, TBI, GERD, and TDIU. The decision also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found insufficient evidence to grant service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or hypertension. The Veteran's claims were denied as the medical opinions did not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the surviving spouse, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service, were not continuous since service, were not shown to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and are not etiologically related to his active service. The Veteran's chronic cough, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea pedis/tinea cruris are also not caused by or otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected schizophrenia or his active military service, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are likely related to his military service. The claim for hypertension is based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition during active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it manifested within the one year presumptive period following his separation from active duty in December 1981.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a hearing loss disability within the meaning of VA regulations.,For cluster headaches, the Veteran is currently rated noncompensably (0%) because his headaches are short duration and do not result in lost work time.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected hypertension has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for a left wrist disability is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's digestive system disability, including his liver tumor with IBS, is rated at 30 percent effective January 15, 2015. His hyperlipidemia and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are granted as they are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused by or proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an examination and opinion from another VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, eating disorder, and their relationship to her coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension. The case is also being returned for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he contends was incurred during his active duty service or caused by his service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not show that his blood pressure readings have predominantly been 110 or more for diastolic pressure or 200 or more for systolic pressure during the appeal period. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange. The Board also found no evidence of a direct relationship between diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not individually or collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, particularly of a sedentary nature.