Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to be service-connected due to herbicide-agent exposure during active duty.,The Veteran's hypertension, gallbladder residuals, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and kidney disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

For the period prior to November 3, 2018, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected coronary artery disease. For the period beginning November 3, 2018, the claim for a TDIU is moot as he has been granted a 100% disability rating for dementia.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional dependent compensation for his spouse is granted, with the effective date set at March 1, 2019.

The Veteran's hypertension, requiring continuous medication for control and with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating for left knee disability, service connection for glaucoma and prostate disorder, special monthly compensation (SMC), and service connection for lumbar spine disability have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate disorder has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted, but the claim remains pending as it was previously denied in April 2000 and reopened based on new evidence. The claim is still denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left foot disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability have been remanded as further development is needed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for headache disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded as further development is needed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his death, and no further action will be taken on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeals are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and he is awarded a 60 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer (CAP), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right lower extremity, lung condition including sarcoidosis, eye disorders and diseases, hypertension, and dermopathy other than melanoma are granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new information regarding the relationship between hypertension and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current diagnosis of hypertension is less likely related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for PTSD, hypertension, and high blood sugar was granted. The petitions for service connection of left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, bilateral pes planus, and left knee disorder were remanded.

The Board has determined that the April 2019 VA examination report lacks adequacy and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension must be remanded for further development.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and requires further development to obtain VA treatment records from the early 1970s through 2002, as well as private medical records from Dr. M.F.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but a medical opinion is needed to determine if it was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,A VA medical opinion is needed to determine whether the Veteran's bladder tumors and urothelial carcinoma are related to his active duty service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. The examiner should also consider the Veteran’s 1960 and 1966 in-service treatment for urethritis and gonorrhea.,The Veteran's parotid tumor excision scar is not entitled to a compensable initial rating as it does not meet the criteria for disfigurement or instability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension as his blood pressure readings have not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's hypertension, residual scar from laceration to left thumb, and service connection for erectile dysfunction are granted with a 20% rating effective May 2nd, 2016. Bilateral cataracts, diabetes mellitus, and gout are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The effective date of the increased rating for diabetes mellitus is denied, and the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for depression with mood disorder associated with diabetes mellitus is also remanded.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal, liver, nosebleeds, and hypertension conditions were not found to be related to service or due to an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided VA examinations to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected low back strain, cervical spine disabilities, left shoulder rotator cuff, left arm soft tissue injury with tendon involvement, migraine headaches, and hypertension. The evaluations will help determine if an increased rating is warranted for these conditions.