Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, COPD, and hypertension. The claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as the evidence did not show he was unemployable prior to May 16, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of liver (secondary to hepatitis C) due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa. The Veteran's service records indicate he was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base from January 1970 to August 1971.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted with effective dates based on when he filed his claims, not necessarily when the disabilities were first diagnosed or treated.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a direct link to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed many years after service and the medical literature did not support a causal relationship with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a tongue/salivary gland disorder is denied due to lack of a causal link between service and the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disorder is remanded as the VA examination report did not provide an opinion on whether his current muscle tension is related to complaints in service.,The Veteran's claims for respiratory disorders (bronchitis and sinusitis) are remanded due to inadequate examination, including failure to consider the Veteran’s history of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's claim for a stomach disorder is remanded as there is no evidence of a current disability or a causal link between service and the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a headache disorder is remanded due to inadequate examination, including failure to provide an opinion on whether his headaches are related to complaints in service or a preexisting disorder that was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a causal link between service and the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for prostate cancer, do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied, but his tinnitus and diabetes mellitus are granted. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus II, high cholesterol to include as secondary to DM II, and hypertension to include as secondary to DM II. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board denied service connection for chronic upper respiratory infections, hypertension, prostatitis, and headaches as they are not related to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was also denied for loss/erosion of teeth due to treatable carious teeth.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The specific issues on appeal include ratings for various service-connected disabilities and a claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand several claims related to the Veteran's service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disorder, bilateral shin splints, vision loss, right ankle disorder, sleep disorder, weight disorder, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also mentions that VA treatment records from 1992 to the present need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development regarding exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The hypertension claim will be evaluated based on the likelihood of exposure and its association with herbicide exposure, while diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease are presumed associated with such exposure.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder, bilateral upper extremity arthritis, eye disorder, tinnitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, erectile dysfunction, and headaches. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board found in favor of the Veteran based on the presence of current disability and symptomatology related to his service-connected condition.,The effective date for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to August 14, 2012.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,A higher than 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied as there were no additional symptoms or complications beyond those already established by service connection.,The Board found that the Veteran had not provided new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD or DM, and due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted from April 20, 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions and need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions regarding his ability to work, and further development of federal personnel records and SSA disability records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but remanded the issue of service connection for asthma due to a lack of clarity in the medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's hypertension, which was initially diagnosed in 1999 and granted service connection for in August 2013, is currently rated at a noncompensable level. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an increase to a 10 percent rating due to the ameliorative effects of medication.