Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and headaches as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the medical opinions found no link between current conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to their association with the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claims of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left shoulder disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and other musculoskeletal issues, has been granted. However, some claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have any service-connected disabilities rated as 100% disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding his death. Therefore, the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions require him to need regular aid and attendance, thus he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it was inferred from his allegations.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected as secondary to his major depressive disorder. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's major depressive disorder and other service-connected disabilities.

New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for right, upper extremity radiculopathy, left, upper extremity radiculopathy, sinusitis, hypertension, and sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected disabilities).,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are service-connected as their onset is at least in equipoise with service, and they meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for residuals of a heart attack, artery block, and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the claims of hypertension and tinnitus.,For hypertension, a VA examination is needed to determine if it may be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the service connection claims, as there are limited VA treatment records from the relevant time period. The Veteran's disabilities have been treated at the Leavenworth VA Medical Center since 2001.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension. The examiner is asked to determine if there was clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right hand and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric condition, and a sleep disorder. The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis with uveitis was granted a 40% rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss disability has not been established as a current disability for VA purposes.,High cholesterol is not considered a disability for which service connection can be granted.,Hypertension and prostate disorder are not found to have begun during active service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for prostate disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disability (claimed as large aortic valve) and hypertension due to potential misdiagnosis during service, exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia and Haiti, or aggravation by existing conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, but denied for right ear hearing loss.,Service connection is also granted for hypertension and Bell's palsy.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying asbestos exposure in service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary to bilateral kidney cysts is denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for lung disorder due to asbestos exposure cannot be granted as there is no service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during or related to his military service.