Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected disorder. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased rating for tinnitus.,The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from January 30, 2014 to November 15, 2014 did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his back disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran's restless leg syndrome and hypertension are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and acid reflux disabilities did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hypertension is related to active service, including exposure to herbicide agents or as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, pes planus (claimed as feet pain), and left ear hearing loss. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis to her service-connected migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for TDIU, but she was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her employment history.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service and the criteria for service connection are met. The Veteran has hypertension, onychomycosis, and a gastrointestinal disability (diverticulitis) that may be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded as the medical records do not confirm a diagnosis of hypertension and further examination is needed to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than October 13, 2010 for the grants of service connection for neck disability, left shoulder disability, and hypertension have been denied. The RO found that these claims were not filed prior to October 13, 2010.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and his cardiac disability prior to February 24, 2017, was also rated at 10 percent. However, after that date, the rating for his cardiac disability has been increased to 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were principal or contributory causes of his death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on traumatic brain injury, hypertension, and soft tissue sarcoma have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected hypertension since the beginning of the claim, finding that his history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and continuous medication use entitles him to this rating.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and a peripheral vestibular condition (claimed as vertigo) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's death was caused by anoxic brain injury, cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension, which manifested during service, substantially contributed to his death.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, hypertension, intestinal problems, and anemia at the May 2017 Board hearing.,With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge from service in April 1976 was not under dishonorable conditions and does not constitute a bar to VA monetary benefits.