Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a chronic heart disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these areas.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his blood pressure readings have never been predominantly 110 or more in diastolic or 200 or more in systolic.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension or diverticulitis during service and within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of diverticulitis in the record.

The Board found that hypertension was not shown in service or for many years following discharge from service, and is not otherwise related to any disease or injury of service origin. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, cervical degenerative arthritis with spondylosis and right arm radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis of the arms, wrists, and hands did not manifest during service or within one year after separation from service. The evidence also indicated that these conditions were not related to service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. Therefore, a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and SSA disability benefits file. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this is completed.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder are all found to be related to service. The lumbar degenerative joint disease, myofascial cervical syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis and ligamentous instability, and right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis and ligamentous instability have been granted initial compensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records from January 2012 to September 2012.

The Veteran's hypertension and head injury residuals have not been established as service-connected. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of either condition.

The Veteran's hypertension, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 50% for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current erectile dysfunction is causally related to or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral pes planus disability, a bilateral leg disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation of preexisting pes planus during service, no current diagnosis or link to service for the claimed bilateral leg disability, and no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and information from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of all claims related to physical or mental illness.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, including due to herbicide exposure or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions and records, as well as to address the issues of service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for clarification of previous VA opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, diabetic neuropathy of various extremities, hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy. The claim is granted as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.