Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for a compensable rating of pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiovascular disability, including hypertension, is related to service and remands for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of any post-service left or right ankle disability. The Board finds that the current right ankle diagnosis does not constitute a chronic disability and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.,Service connection for a sleep disorder secondary to her already service-connected psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder) is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus) were denied. His claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim for diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for peripheral vascular disease was not established. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied because the claim was not filed within 90 days after discharge from the hospital.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or secondary to his service-connected DMII. A new VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. Specifically, there is a need to address whether hypertension is secondary to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The dental treatment claim is also part of the compensation claim and needs further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for colon cancer, hypertension, circulatory problems, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (nervous condition) due to new evidence. However, it denied these claims as there was no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service or service-connected disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a heart disability, finding that both conditions are directly related to the Veteran's service. The heart disabilities are secondary to his hypertension.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or CAD.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, left knee disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, GERD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea have all been denied.,There is no effective date earlier than July 17, 2014 granted for any of the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, headaches, hypertension, and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to incomplete VA clinical documentation. The effective dates for service connection remain unchanged.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, low back/lumbar spine disability, right shoulder, knee, ankle, and/or foot disabilities, and psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding his current diagnoses are not credible.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether olanzapine, a medication for service-connected schizophrenia, contributed to the Veteran's death by cardiac arrest. The VA is required to obtain and review any relevant VA treatment records from December 2007 through March 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of SSA records.

The Veteran's hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus are granted service connection, while his left foot blisters and calluses as well as right foot below-the-knee amputation are denied.

The Veteran is granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected major depressive disorder and headaches. He is also granted special monthly compensation for need of aid and attendance of another person, but not housebound status.