Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder was reopened and granted. He is also granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type, and generalized anxiety disorder.,Service connection has been established for left hip disability, hypertension, and kidney disability (conceded exposure to tetrachloride).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and hypertensive heart disease with systolic murmur, and thus service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the service-connected obstructive lung disease contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection due to PTSD, diabetes mellitus with hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims were reopened on new evidence, but the effective date remains August 29, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of various respiratory/pulmonary conditions, including COPD, emphysema, obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, asthma/bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pulmonary conditions are related to his service, specifically asbestos exposure and treatment for tuberculosis.

The Veteran's service-connected gout and hypertension were denied initial disability ratings in excess of 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a left ankle sprain is denied as there were no prior unadjudicated claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) is granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his permanent and total disability status. A new examination is needed to assess these conditions.

This decision denies service connection for burns and non-service connected pension benefits. The Veteran's burn injuries are not related to his military service, and he does not have the required wartime service for nonservice-connected pension benefits.,The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including blurred vision, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and headaches.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records, conduct a VA examination for CAD and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link to service.,The Veteran's right and left knee replacements are remanded due to the absence of continuity of symptomatology from service and lack of explanation regarding claimed in-service injuries.,The Veteran's hypertension, chronic renal disease, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are remanded as they may be related to his multiple myeloma. The claims for these conditions will be deferred pending further development.,The Veteran's multiple myeloma is remanded due to the absence of a dose estimate from VA’s Under Secretary for Health regarding ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of hypertension, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder strain, right lateral epicondylitis, right ankle strain, upper airway resistance syndrome, and PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral knee disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status due to service-connected disabilities, but SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension has been granted. The Veteran is also receiving a 70 percent disability rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease of the upper extremities, and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations for the Veteran to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria and he was still capable of performing light physical and sedentary work.