Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy, and hypertension have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded two issues regarding the Veteran's bilateral great toenail condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for varicose veins, hypertension, and transient ischemic attacks have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's back disability, claimed as scoliosis, is granted service connection.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are also granted. The Veteran's alcohol dependence disorder is also granted service connection.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 100 percent for schizophrenia from October 1, 1998. The appeal regarding hypertension remains pending as no VA examiner has provided a medical opinion on its etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for impotence, vertigo, and lymphedema due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The cases are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records not being obtained. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for any private treatment records from Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Winter Haven Hospital.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as it is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for a back disability, hypertension, gout, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral eye disabilities, heart disabilities, sleep apnea, skin disabilities, and mental health disabilities were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction was reopened, service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied, hypertension and onychomycosis of the left nail are not granted, but a higher rating of 20% for left foot plantar fasciitis from January 25, 2018 is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to July 18, 2014. From July 18, 2014 onwards, the rating remained at 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have been denied. The appeal for a right eye disability is remanded.,Service connection has not been established for mechanical strabismus with diplopia due to muscle entrapment of the right medial extraocular muscle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability, bilateral pes planus, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeals on three issues have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for CAD prior to November 12, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition met the criteria for a 30 percent rating.,An increased rating of 60 percent for CAD from November 12, 2015 was granted based on the evidence showing that his condition met the criteria for this rating.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right ankle, and hypertension disabilities. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a chronic condition within one year of separation from service or any nexus to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence of current disability. The issue of secondary service connection for hypertension is remanded as the VA examination did not provide sufficient information regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylosis, lumbar spine was denied. The claims for hypertension and hepatitis C are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, either as secondary to sleep apnea or directly related to high blood pressure during service, needs more information and a thorough medical evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and vertigo due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The reopening of previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claim was based on presumptive service connection.