Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,There is no effective date issue as all requested dates have already been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, post-operative abdominal injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder), diabetes mellitus, type II, and right hip scar, residual of a gunshot wound due to missing in-service treatment records and VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as rashes) and remanded his claim for hypertension. The denial is based on lack of evidence linking the current conditions to service, including PTSD for the skin condition and presumed herbicide exposure for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, and no higher. The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right great toe fracture, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions have been denied. The issues of service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding alleged exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals during his time in Okinawa.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum rating available under DC 7101. The effective date for this grant of service connection remains May 12, 2012.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability were denied, but a separate rating for left knee instability was granted. The Veteran's migraine headaches and bilateral foot disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including earlier effective dates for hypertension and disability ratings for cervical spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding records, schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations, and consider a claim of CUE in prior rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cardiac disability other than hypertension and a right hand disability, including peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between his diabetes and his diagnosed eye conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on lumbar strain, eczema, hypertension, and dry eye syndrome have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, as the current evidence is insufficient to determine if the Veteran's hypertension or bilateral hearing loss are related to service.

The Board dismissed the claim to reopen service connection for hypertension as there was no valid notice of disagreement filed.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to its relation to his service-connected DM.,Left knee DJD was not granted an increased rating beyond the initial 10% prior to October 19, 2015. From that date, a 30% disability rating for left knee instability was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have initially manifested during service and has continued since. However, there is no evidence of hypertension in service or within the presumptive period following service, so service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include hypertension, stomach disorder (ulcers, stomach problems, GERD), right knee disability, right ankle disability, right leg disability, right foot disability, back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine), erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are all granted. However, the rating for hypertension is remanded as it may be related to prostate cancer.,An examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s hypertension is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for forgetfulness is denied because it encompasses the same symptomatology as PTSD and there is no separate disability manifested by forgetfulness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension as due to exposure to Agent Orange were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for PTSD, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current hypertension and his military service.