Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, DJD right knee, and DJD left knee to allow for further development.

The Veteran's dental condition is denied as there is no evidence of in-service trauma or disease resulting in a loss of substance of the body of either the maxilla or mandible.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because it was not present during service and there is no objective evidence linking it to military service. The claim cannot be granted on a presumptive basis as hypertension must be shown within one year following separation from active duty.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis is denied as there is no in-service injury or diagnosis, and the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity atherosclerosis is rated at 100 percent effective September 28, 2018. The SMC rate was also increased to the highest level.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back, bilateral hips, and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are also remanded as there is inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as these conditions may be related to herbicide exposure during service. The AOJ is instructed to verify the exact locations of all vessels the Veteran served aboard during his Vietnam Era service and determine if any vessel entered inland waterways or was docked in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of major depression has been granted with a 70% evaluation. The claims for service connection for hypertension, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to major depression) have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether obesity is an 'intermediate step' between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and his currently diagnosed sleep apnea and hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial ratings and service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (right knee), bilateral hearing loss, and chest pain condition.

The Board denied compensable ratings for plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be mild or not significantly impacting his daily life.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and renal cancer are remanded due to the lack of verification of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for migraine headaches is granted. The claims to reopen for hypertension and status post right frontal hemorrhagic infarct are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, aortic stenosis, hypertension, keloids on the chest, and chloracne are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether these conditions are related to herbicide exposure or medications taken for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lower leg stress fractures, tinnitus, low lung capacity, hypertension, and bruxism are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.,Service connection for PTSD with sleep disturbances was also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss, congestive heart failure, hypertension, colostomy due to spastic colon and ulcerated colon, end stage renal failure, and the cause of death. The remand includes obtaining medical records from prior to 2001 and requesting a new VA clinician's opinion on continuity of service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hysterectomy and its relation to service. The Veteran is also denied service connection for migraines and an initial compensable rating for hypertension.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2008 for the grant of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his inability to work due to these conditions.