Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also granted as service-connected, while sleep apnea, valvular heart disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and hypertension were denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is established based on noise exposure during combat in Vietnam. Service connection for valvular heart disease was not established due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or caused by service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches have been granted. The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder has been denied. Other issues related to his service-connected conditions or disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for aortic dissection and hypertension, finding that both conditions are causally related to the Veteran's exposure to mercury in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his underlying claims for hypertension, eye disability, chronic fatigue, COPD (shortness of breath), nerve damage, heart disability, unspecified joint pain, and skin disability are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an eye disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during his active service or within one year of retirement. The claim was also denied on a presumptive basis due to lack of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated clinical records and a VA examination to assess his service-connected hypertension with cardiomegaly.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral eye cataracts as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The issues of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, service connection for glaucoma and hypertension, and service connection for erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as there is no evidence of a disability.,Service connection for high blood pressure is denied due to lack of in-service onset and no link to service.,Bladder cancer, including incontinence, is granted based on presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. Erectile dysfunction secondary to bladder cancer is also granted.,The Veteran's mental health conditions are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a compensable degree within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder due to circumcision is dismissed. The claim for PTSD is denied. The appeal for respiratory disorder (asbestos exposure) is denied. The appeal for sleep disorder is denied. The appeal for headaches is denied. An initial rating of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease is granted. Appeals for coronary artery disease, hypertension, corns of the bilateral feet, and hemorrhoids are all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it preexisted his period of active service and was not aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic neuropathy of all four extremities have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and kidney transplant residuals due to inadequate examinations, incomplete records, and need for verification of Reserve service dates. The AOJ must obtain all relevant medical records, verify Reserve service dates, and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The rating reduction from 100 percent to 80 percent for chronic renal failure with hypertension, status-post kidney transplant with scar was proper due to sustained improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital due to uncontrolled hypertension was denied because the symptoms did not warrant emergency treatment and he had time to seek non-emergent care.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but her bilateral loss of vision and hypokalemia are denied. The Veteran's hypertension remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of current disability. The claims for right knee disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.