Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and denied service connection for hypertension. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at March 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyposmia was denied in 2005, and new evidence received after that time does not meet the threshold to reopen the claim.,Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary problems, heart condition (coronary artery disease), hypertension, circulatory condition, skin condition, recurrent headaches, eye condition and vision problems, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and psychiatric condition are not related to his military service.,The Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to new and material evidence submitted since the February 2006 rating decision. The hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, but remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and renal disease due to potential links with herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran developed degenerative changes within one year of his separation from service. Service connection was denied for hypertension due to lack of evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis.,Service connection for a right hand condition, to include carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is denied due to lack of evidence showing the disability began during service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for a left hand condition, to include CTS, is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran's belief that she has this condition is not competent to provide a medical opinion.,The Board concludes that chronic back pain did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disability.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted as the evidence shows that the pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably worsened during service.,The Board finds no evidence showing hypertension manifested to a compensable degree in service or within the applicable presumptive period, nor does it establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board previously denied service connection for hypertension, but the Court granted a partial remand due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran has received the maximum rating available for his right knee instability, hypertension, and low back arthritis. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded, as well as his claims regarding a higher rating for low back arthritis and scars.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, hypertension, neuropathy of the feet and legs, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and depression due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving on ships off the coast of Vietnam. The claim for service connection for a headache condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during his active military service and is associated with his hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension, which may be related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents. The PTSD disability rating appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal during a hearing.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted, but only as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for hypertension service connection is being remanded due to a potential issue of CUE in the April 2003 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations. The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left shoulder tendonitis, higher ratings for mitral valve prolapse and coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at the maximum allowable under the rating criteria, which is a 50% disability rating. The Board found that her very frequent and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability meet the criteria for this rating.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40% rating since May 24, 2006. A separate 10% rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also granted. The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% rating. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, lower back disorder, neck disorder, and hypertension due to incomplete records and the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.