Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. The claims for increased ratings for non-proliferative retinopathy and cataracts, CAD, and DM were granted with effective dates of February 2, 2010.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with hypertension has been rated at 60 percent since November 16, 2012. Prior to that date, the rating was granted but not higher.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's death is related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange and any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The evidence shows that the Veteran's hypertension is at least in part responsible for his current erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not present during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is dishonorable due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars him from receiving VA compensation benefits for any period of service. As a result, he cannot establish service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and multiple other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that further development of the medical evidence is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee degenerative arthritis contributed to his death. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as due to exposure to herbicides and/or secondary to service connected ischemic heart diseases. The case is REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus the claim for a higher level of SMC is denied.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease was evaluated at a 30 percent rating since October 4, 2007. The condition is characterized by left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence shows current disability and in-service noise exposure. Service connection is not granted for hypertension due to lack of medical evidence supporting a nexus between active duty service and the condition.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection for a respiratory condition and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, rheumatoid arthritis, swelling under the arms and of the neck, and hypertension are not shown to be related to service.,Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since June 13, 2017. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any period prior to this date.

The Board granted effective dates of June 4, 1999 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension due to inadequate opinions and new evidence submitted by his representative.

The Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not service connected as they are not related to his military service.