Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to missing records and the need for clarification of diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability and for an increased rating for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security disability records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for warts of the left-hand is denied as he has not been diagnosed with a discernable disability. Claims for hypertension, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin rashes, congestive heart failure, hypertension, gout, arthritis, lung cancer, and prostate cancer, all presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The decision was based on the lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension has not shown diastolic readings predominantly 110 or more or systolic readings predominantly 200 or more, and therefore the initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus are not service-connected, and his claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The reduction of the back disability rating from 40% to 10% was also found improper.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for translation of Spanish documents. The Veteran's death was caused by colon cancer, but the cause of his service-connected conditions is unclear.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities, alone, do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. The Board found that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions and that non-service-connected conditions were more likely responsible for his unemployment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,His lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is service-connected as it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for lupus, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus are not supported by the evidence of record. The appeals have been remanded due to insufficient medical or lay evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because he failed to complete and return the VA Form 21-8940, which is required to substantiate his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for glaucoma, peripheral vestibular disorder, hypertension, pulmonary embolism, diabetes mellitus, and seizure disorder as they are not related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to missing records and unclear dates of service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left ankle disability and hypertension due to potential aggravation during Reserve service, and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, headaches, PTSD, and left testicular torsion are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout of the left foot, an initial compensable rating for hypertension, and a compensable initial rating for residual scar, lumbar microdiskectomy. The appeal was remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), but remanded the claims for service connection for neck disability and secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted at a 10 percent rating. The Board has remanded cases regarding his right leg, left leg, and left knee disabilities for further evaluation.