Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. However, it denied the claims for secondary service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, esophageal stricture, and dysphagia to his service-connected non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities. Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a stomach condition.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (IBS/GERD), hypertension, fatigue, and various knee and elbow disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during service or their current existence.

The Board has determined that the service-connected cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and microvascular coronary disease with hypertension, contributed to the Veteran's death. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased disability rating for prostate cancer have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for kidney/renal cancer, metastatic brain cancer, metastatic cancer of the spine, and hypertension (HTN).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes are related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The VA examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran’s exposure to ionizing radiation in service resulted in his current diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to non-compliance with previous directives and erroneous advice from the RO. The cases are being returned for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions, particularly in relation to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his address.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in multiple joints to include lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and bilateral wrists; an eye disability (cataracts); a CVA; chronic kidney disease; hypertension; diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities; and CAD. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for arthritis in multiple joints.

The Board has remanded for further development and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, including those related to toxin exposure at Giessen Army Depot in Germany.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the R-1 rate for special aid and attendance prior to October 3, 2017, and SMC at the R-2 rate thereafter. The decision is based on his service-connected disabilities including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's hypertension prior to August 3, 2015 required continuous use of medication for control but did not meet the criteria for a separate compensable rating. The Board found that his acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was not related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within a year after separation, and it is not related to service.,Major depressive disorder is granted with a rating of 70 percent but no higher. The Veteran has symptoms such as suicidal ideation, neglect of personal hygiene, and near-continuous panic or depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure, and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate condition was denied as there is no recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure, and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted based on a currently diagnosed psychiatric disability that is presumed to be related to his military service due to Vietnam-era service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted as there is evidence suggesting the condition began in service.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes were granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right and left foot conditions due to insufficient examination findings. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion regarding whether any bilateral foot conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. However, it denied service connection for right-hand and left-hand tremors as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related directly to service. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to December 6, 2016, the Veteran's hypertension was rated as noncompensable. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder) is currently rated at 30 percent prior to December 6, 2016, and 70 percent from that date.,PTSD alone was not rated higher than 70 percent since it does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and high blood pressure, as well as the claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's service records show elevated blood pressure readings after discharge, which may have led to a diagnosis of hypertension. For the claims related to sleep apnea and high blood pressure, additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to other disabilities. A new examination is also required for the psychiatric disability claim.