Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, lung disability, headache disability, LADD, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, enlarged prostate condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 17, 2012 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the first communication from the Veteran to VA evidencing intent to file a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was received on May 17, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The cases of hypertension, erectile dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to effective dates.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for eye condition, high blood pressure, headaches, left leg condition, depression, and diabetes due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained.

The Veteran's hypertension required continuous use of medication for control and has a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, which entitles him to a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The initial rating for hypertension remains at zero percent, and the Veteran's insomnia is rated as 10 percent disabling.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. His hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. The Veteran’s insomnia associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability results in some decrease in work efficiency.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, pulmonary hypertension, and COPD because the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service, including exposure to asbestos. The cause of death was listed as pulmonary arrest due to severe COPD and recent pulmonary embolism.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to newly obtained VA treatment records and a VA examination report. The claims include service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric condition (major depressive disorder), varicose veins of the left and right lower extremities, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for hypertension, which may be related to service-connected anxiety and depression or chronic pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder, neck, and knee disabilities as well as hypertension are also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right shoulder strain, compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae with degenerative changes, PTSD with anxiety, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional development including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran’s hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, depression, low back strain, PTSD, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in some areas. The Veteran must be provided with additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was also not granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus remains pending as it is currently rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hypertension, as the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosis of hypertension. For tinnitus, the Veteran’s statements were deemed not credible due to lack of medical records indicating the presence of tinnitus. For diabetes mellitus, the preponderance of evidence did not support an increased rating.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches is denied. From May 13, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence that the condition arose in service or was related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his death.