Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The Board also denied service connection for hypertension, concluding there was no evidence of onset or relationship with service including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence showing initial manifestations within a year of separation from service and the Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after discharge.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right elbow disorder was denied. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for right knee total knee arthroplasty, from May 1, 2012, to March 4, 2014, and since May 1, 2014, was denied. The Veteran's petition for a compensable disability rating for right inguinal hernia repair with surgical scar was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection. The claims for residuals of influenza, syncope, and sleep apnea are denied. Service connection for non-reversible obstructive lung disease of uncertain etiology is granted at a 100% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to December 21, 2011. The Board found that his employment termination was due to personal reasons and not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition/arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type 2 as there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's thoracic spine strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds a 20 percent rating is warranted.,The Veteran’s right elbow lateral epicondylitis warrants an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.,The effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus must be earlier than December 17, 2007.,The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy requires a higher initial rating.,The Veteran’s coronary artery disease with bypass graft warrants an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.,The effective date for service connection of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy must be earlier than March 25, 2010.,The Veteran's hypertension requires a higher initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and heart disability due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service records indicate he served in Vietnam with awards like the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Service connection is denied for a right knee disability, hypertension, and tinnitus.,Effective dates prior to October 2, 2015, are not warranted for service connection of migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not related to his service-connected conditions, but may be secondary to them. The Veteran's status post colon resection disability is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and an increased evaluation for hypertension. The Veteran's case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hand/fingers disorder, cervical spine disorder, cervical radiculopathy of the left arm, and cervical radiculopathy of the right arm have all been denied.,Service connection has also been denied for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his PTSD and hypertension. The DIC claim is dismissed, as the Appellant withdrew her appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for chronic diarrhea was dismissed as he withdrew the claim during his hearing.,His appeals for hypertension and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were also dismissed due to lack of timely substantive appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, bilateral cataracts, hypertension, psoriasis, peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, and hearing loss. The appeals are related to secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for hypertension and remanded the issue of an increased rating for PFB.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability remains denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The claim for service connection for hypertension is reopened but remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the etiology of the condition. The claim for service connection for insomnia remains denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. However, the appeal is still pending as a VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service, as well as whether it is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for spinal disease, COPD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and strokes due to incomplete records. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to Agent Orange exposure.,Cancers of the tongue and lymph nodes are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to Agent Orange exposure.,Cancer of the head is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to Agent Orange exposure.,An acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and sleep problems, secondary to tinnitus, is being remanded for a VA examination.