Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's eye disability, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's neurocognitive disorder is granted as service-connected, and he receives a separate 20% rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. Other claims are denied.

The Veteran's left knee brace is not service-connected, and he does not use it to treat any of his other service-connected disabilities. The Board finds no eligibility for a clothing allowance due to the left knee brace.,The Veteran uses a manual wheelchair primarily due to severe effects from multiple service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and neuropathies. The VAMC's decision was incorrect in concluding that the use of the wheelchair is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's high cholesterol, right elbow disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.,For the low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), the Board has found that additional development is needed due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to the Veteran's service-connected glomerulonephritis. The claims for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection was not granted for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, or an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder strain, left trapezius strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar spine, generalized pain disorder, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), acute sinusitis, and migraine headaches as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,The Board found that there was no medical evidence showing a direct link between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, as well as the claim for tinnitus. The Veteran's service records confirm his service in Thailand from March 1968 to February 1970 and his alleged exposure to herbicides during that time. However, there is no direct evidence of such exposure. The Board has requested further inquiry through the JSRRC to verify this claim. For hypertension, VA treatment records do not confirm a diagnosis of hypertension. The Veteran's tinnitus claim requires an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to September 14, 2017 and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.,Service connection for hypertension was remanded due to insufficient examination addressing the nature and etiology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, lower back disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his rating for lumbosacral strain to 40 percent effective March 26, 2012. The Veteran was also granted separate ratings for bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and vertigo. His claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, COPD, OSA, and gastrointestinal disorder have all been denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus has also been denied.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee conditions, hypertension, PFB, jungle rot, and a skin disorder on the left scalp. The Veteran's reports during his hearing will be considered in determining the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection in any of these cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service. The Board also noted that hypertension is not associated with exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence in support of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen her claim for glaucoma, and the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that she has generalized arthritis or any other claimed condition due to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral cataracts and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes or exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The decision also noted that the Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after separation from service.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus and denied a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure of predominantly 160 or more. Therefore, the criteria for a compensable rating are not met.