Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection and rating increases, except for the TDIU claim which was granted effective April 15, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient or speculative opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include PTSD, cold injury residuals of the feet, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right wrist disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not service-connected as it was not diagnosed during or after service and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's colon polyps are not service-connected due to lack of a diagnosis in service, and the current condition is not related to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected as it is not caused by his service-connected PTSD. The examiner found no causal relationship between the two conditions.,The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected coronary artery disease, as well as whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea began during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for blood abnormalities, bilateral flatfoot, or hypertension secondary to diabetes. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities remains pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and chloracne. The issues are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's residual scar status post splenectomy has been granted an initial 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The other service-connected conditions have not yet received a final rating determination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and aortic aneurysm as secondary to hypertension. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation due to his need for homebound aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma was reopened and granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted, but the right knee condition, back problems, and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability has been reopened, and the Board finds new evidence supports this. The hypertension claim is remanded due to insufficient information.

The appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) is granted, but the appeals for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as well as hypertension are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, sinusitis, headache disorder, and respiratory disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected nephropathy, finding that it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 17, 2014 and over 70 percent thereafter is denied. The claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure and hypertension are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disability, hypertension, bilateral foot disorder, and eye disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to unclear evidence regarding their onset during service or if they are related to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthma, COPD, and hypertension. The decision found no evidence of a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and exposure to herbicide agents.