Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and renal insufficiency due to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) as they are inextricably intertwined. A new VA opinion is needed to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current hypertension and renal insufficiency were caused or aggravated by his DMII, including considering exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 21, 2012, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The issues of service connection for hypertension and a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of 30 percent prior to December 29, 2014, and an increased 50 percent from that date.

The Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD with major depression, and the Board finds service connection for hypertension is warranted.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,For hypertension, prior to June 9, 2017, the Veteran's disability picture did not warrant a compensable rating. Since then, it has been manifested by diastolic pressure less than 110 and systolic pressure less than 200.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and kidney disease on a secondary basis to his service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection for arthritis of the hands was not established.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension (HTN) have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and MDD, warrants a disability rating of 50 percent prior to June 13, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated as noncompensably disabling since February 9, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence warrants a uniform 10 percent rating for hypertension under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for nervous condition and hypertension with dizziness have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, or hepatitis A. The evidence did not establish a verified in-service stressor for PTSD and there was no medical nexus linking current symptoms to service. For hypertension, there were no complaints or treatment during service and no evidence of continuity of symptomatology post-service. For hepatitis A, the Veteran's statements regarding his history were considered but without additional examination findings, it could not be determined if he currently has hepatitis A or any residuals thereof.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nerve disorder of the left leg is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issues regarding hypertension and vision problems are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder), chronic sleep impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and nephropathy with hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been rated based on their current manifestations. The glaucoma is now rated at 10% effective September 15, 2017. Bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are each rated at 10%. These ratings are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including thyroid disability, throat disability, hair loss, muscle weakness, defective vision (related to TBI), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Bell's palsy, gall bladder dysfunction, recurrent allergies, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a chronic disability manifested by these conditions during service or within one year of separation, and thus could not establish direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a positive nexus between her disabilities and military service. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, headaches, and sleep apnea. The claim for PTSD was reopened but not granted due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as it did not manifest during service and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his in-service high blood pressure. The erectile dysfunction claim cannot be granted as secondary to hypertension since hypertension itself is not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and cancer, unspecified. The claim for hypertension was granted, while the claim for cancer was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hypertension and its associated diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the appeal can be decided on its merits.