Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran is granted service connection for left hip DJD, status post left hip replacement.,Service connection is also granted for degenerative disc disease (DDD).,Left leg radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease has been established as well.,Heart condition due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam is now service connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both found to be related to service, with tinnitus being noted since service.,Hypertension, also linked to service exposure, has been granted service connection.,No specific rating or effective date was provided.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, head skin rash, jungle rot or fungal infections of the lower extremities, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for essential tremor or dystonia are dismissed. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened and granted based on evidence showing the condition is due to his time in service.,Service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus were also granted as they are related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis and hypertension are not attributable to or related to service. The VA examinations provided sufficient information for a fully informed decision on the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's loss of balance is a symptom of his service-connected bilateral chronic otitis media with postoperative residuals, scar. Therefore, he does not have a separate disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's skin disability, ocular hypertension, numbness and tingling of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and bilateral foot condition are all found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from March 7, 2011. The claim for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, standing alone, effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction (ED) is rated at 20 percent disabling. The issues of increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and swelling of the lower extremities are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for benefits under 38 C.F.R. � 3.815 and 38 C.F.R. � 3.814 as she does not have a manifestation of spina bifida, which is required to qualify for these benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his COPD, asthma, hypertension, heart condition, and bilateral lower extremity edema.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's high blood pressure is not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches was received on October 27, 2014. The effective date of the increase is set at that time.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was received on January 16, 2013. The effective date of the increase is set at that time.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA examiner found that these conditions are less likely than not incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension, a cardiac disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression), a prostate disability, or erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral eye disability. The claims were not granted as secondary to a service-connected condition or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no left ear hearing loss disability and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the residuals of a stroke are proximately due to or caused by his hypertension.,PTSD symptoms have resulted in severe anxiety, anger, depression, interrupted sleep, nightmares, isolation, hallucinations, paranoia, hypervigilance, isolated thoughts of self-harm and harm to others, and an inability to establish and maintain effective work and social relationships.