Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is reopened and remanded due to the need for an examination. The claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the reopening of the lumbar spine claim.

The Board has determined that the July 2018 VA examination is inadequate for decision-making purposes and remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion. The Veteran's hypertension must be evaluated in relation to his service, presumed herbicide exposure, and service-connected panic disorder.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for hypertension, residuals of a right wrist injury, and residuals of a left leg laceration was granted. Claims for low back disability and left knee disability were denied as new and material evidence did not relate the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet (claimed as ankle condition) has been reopened and granted. The claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and sarcoidosis have all been denied.

Service connection is denied for sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and mental disorder (claimed as a psychiatric condition). The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent since May 23, 2017.,The claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation prior to June 11, 2012 was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent or permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation prior to June 11, 2012 was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and there is no evidence of housebound status due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also pending.

This case involves multiple claims for service connection, all denied. The Veteran contends that there was clear and unmistakable error in the September 1993 rating decisions denying his claims for cervical strain, right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, hypertension with stage 3 chronic kidney disease and renal insufficiency, and degenerative changes of lumbosacral spine. The Board found that there was no CUE in these decisions.,Reasoning: The Veteran's arguments were based on the interpretation of his service treatment records showing injuries sustained during service. However, the Board determined that the RO did not commit CUE as the correct facts were available and correctly applied the laws at the time.

The Veteran's son, L.B., Jr., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to his condition with pulmonary hypertension. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection and rating of disabilities, including hip, knee, anemia, and foot conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board vacated the September 18, 2018 decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The TDIU claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened and granted. Service connection for headaches, tinnitus, and high blood pressure/hypertension were also granted. The claims for sleep apnea and heart disorder were denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is now rated at 20 percent, hypertension remains noncompensable, IBS with GERD continues to be rated at 30 percent, and specific phobia and generalized anxiety disorder remain at 30 percent. Service connection for epistaxis, sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 2017.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral elbow, wrist/arm, cervical spine, and knee disabilities, as well as hypertension and GERD. The Veteran's PTSD was also not found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the legal definition of a 'veteran' for VA compensation purposes due to lack of active service, and therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for hypertension has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, a heart disorder, prostate cancer, hypertension, hypothyroidism (claimed as obesity), and cataracts due to lack of in-service herbicide agent exposure and failure to establish a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating. The remaining claims for increased ratings are remanded.