Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DM2, heart disorder, hypertension, blindness, stroke residuals, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board found that there is no credible evidence of active service in Vietnam or any other period of war.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, right ear hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and headache due to potential errors in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed with a focus on their onset during service or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted. The claims for service connection for other conditions have not been reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, myelopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to inadequate VA opinions in previous determinations.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, gastric adenocarcinoma (stomach cancer), and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right hip disabilities, hearing loss, PTSD, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's appeals are also remanded for development in relation to his service connection for respiratory disorders and hypertension.

The claims for service connection of PTSD, hypertension, and low back disability have been reopened. The claims for hemorrhoids and head injury remain denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The issue of Parkinson's disease will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, but remanded the claims for hypertension and lumbar spine disability (scoliosis) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for PTSD, service connection for migraines, and service connection for hypertension due to incomplete responses in the December 2017 DBQ report and lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-existing conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and left knee condition due to lack of current diagnosis, but remanded the issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, sinus condition, and PTSD due to incomplete development of records and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, tinnitus, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and GERD. The decision also remanded the claim for service connection for bronchitis due to asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition with arthritis, a neck condition with arthritis, and hypertension due to lack of medical opinion on etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2 due to insufficient evidence. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's effective date for the grant of service connection for sternotomy scar and graft scars of the bilateral lower extremities associated with coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft is denied prior to October 5, 2011.,The Veteran's effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft is denied prior to September 6, 2011.,The Veteran's effective date for a 100 percent evaluation (based on total temporary rating for hospitalization) for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft is denied prior to October 4, 2011.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 4, 2011 for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent from February 1, 2012 for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied because he did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a). The Board found that the Veteran could dress, feed himself, attend to his hygiene needs, and protect himself from daily hazards without regular assistance. For the nonservice-connected pension claim, the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a veteran with one dependent, thus denying the claim.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disability and hypertension, as these issues are currently not fully developed.