Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, hypertension, GERD, depression, and prostate problems. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities. The appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal regarding a higher rating for left tibia and fibular fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or within the presumptive period. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for small hiatal hernia, distal grade I reflux esophagitis, and erosive gastritis is also denied due to lack of symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's terminal hospital reports and missing February 2017 rating action. The appellant’s claims for service connection are also remanded due to an incomplete list of dates the Veteran served on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected hypertension is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not show a causal link between these conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and remanded it for further development.

The service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea are reopened. Service connection for CAD due to herbicide exposure is granted.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes, CAD, or both is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Increased ratings for left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded for a VA examination.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to service-connected left ankle disability is remanded for a nexus opinion.,The Veteran's hypertension claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's back disability claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to active service.,An effective date prior to February 22, 2018, for a separate 10 percent rating for ankle scars is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide agent exposure, and remanded the remaining issues related to heart conditions, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), sleep apnea, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychological disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, hypertension, and depression. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his period of active service.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy, hypertension and erectile dysfunction as the evidence did not show that the Veteran required regulation of activities to control his diabetes.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for a new examination.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for essential hypertension, finding that it was not present during service or within one year of separation and is not related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for acid reflux, Barrett’s esophagus, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's private doctor records are needed, and VA examinations are required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, and thyroid condition are denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and headaches, finding that they are not proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.