Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial rating for retinopathy of the right and left eyes. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU, which is inextricably intertwined with his eye disability claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathies are secondary to his diabetes, but there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection for kidney cancer and its residuals was granted.,The Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension were not determined to be related to service or any incident therein.

The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional medical opinions and compliance with prior remand instructions. The appeal will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection as it began during active duty. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's hypertension and stage 2 renal disease with hypertension have been granted increased ratings, but the specific conditions are not service-connected due to a direct relationship.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a head injury/cerebral concussion and headaches, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension.,Diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to service, including herbicide exposure, or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gynecological disorder, heart disorder, and hypertension. The Veteran was also denied initial compensable ratings for her sinusitis and right heel spur.,There is no evidence of a current disability for a heart disorder or hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not attributable to service, including his presumed herbicide agent exposure, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension, finding that the earliest date as of which entitlement arose was June 4, 2016.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal in all matters currently on appeal, including the reopening of a claim for right foot hammertoes and several other issues. As such, there are no remaining claims for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent from October 21, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a left shoulder disorder, and major depressive disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or any presumptive conditions.

The evidence does not establish that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, variously diagnosed as GERD, hiatal hernia, and diverticulitis, is related to his active service. The Board finds no in-service disease or injury for this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining prison medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current heart disability, lung/breathing disability, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for narcolepsy with cataplexy and hypertension as secondary to narcolepsy. The Veteran is also awarded an initial compensable rating (10%) for GERD prior to March 17, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during his periods of active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service treatment.