Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, GERD, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, bladder disability / urinary frequency, skin disability of the hands and feet, and diarrhea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and hypertension, finding that the conditions did not manifest during service or within a year of separation, and were not related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents and/or lead-based paint, as there are insufficient records and opinions regarding his service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim for a compensable rating for folliculitis of scalp with cicatrical alopecia was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is granted. The Veteran's DM is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 18, 2013, and not entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent beginning December 18, 2013. The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is not entitled to a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not found to be the cause of his obesity and resultant need for special home adaptations or SMC based on aid and attendance. The Board denied both claims due to insufficient evidence linking his obesity to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims were initially adjudicated as non-service-connected pension benefits, but he clearly indicated his intention to pursue service connection. The Board finds a remand necessary for proper development and consideration of the service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the underlying claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and stomach condition have also been reopened, with the underlying claims remaining denied.

The Board has denied an increased rating for hypertension and remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 20% due to diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, but his most recent blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, hypertension, gastrointestinal disabilities, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for unstable angina, hypertension, umbilical hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic renal insufficiency are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service. The Veteran will need further medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's unauthorized ambulance transportation was granted reimbursement because the emergency treatment provided in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health, and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar facet arthropathy with mild spondylosis, effective from September 19, 2012. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease (CAD) is also granted. A 10 percent disability rating for hypertension is assigned and effective as of August 31, 2011.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded for further evaluation, including a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension and residuals of rheumatic fever.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension and determined that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes, coronary artery disease, and diabetic nephropathy. The decision also grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but an adequate medical opinion is needed to determine if it is caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and therefore remands the case for further development.