Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of effective dates.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his service.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with HNP at L5-S1 is granted as it first manifested in service.,The Veteran's prostate condition and hypertension are remanded for further review due to potential herbicide exposure during service.,

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, and a left eyelid disability (blepharitis) due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional opinions regarding causation and aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hypertension, requiring continuous medication for control with diastolic pressures over 100, is granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his right ankle condition. The Board also found that hypertension was not shown to be related to service.,The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, noting that it had been diagnosed and treated since 2002, which predates his separation from service in 1991.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and low back disorder due to lack of evidence on aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and readjudication due to missing documents, including a private medical opinion, lay statement, and VA Form 21-8940. The issues of rating PTSD with alcohol abuse in remission and effective date are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings of hypertension and left hip scar, as well as his claim for TDIU, has been dismissed. The initial compensable rating for hearing loss with eardrum scars was denied. For PTSD, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating from April 19, 2011 onwards.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to his service-connected glomerulonephritis with hypertension (kidney disability) and a compensable rating for retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims. The Veteran's current conditions are related to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 60 percent for chronic renal disease with hypertension is denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for chronic renal disease with hypertension is denied as it cannot be earlier than March 31, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and left shoulder condition are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent testimony indicating worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's death was caused by dextromethorphan intoxication, not related to service-connected conditions.,Service connection for the cause of death is granted due to new evidence suggesting VA treatment may have contributed.

The Board's decision is vacated in part, allowing the Veteran to request a hearing for issues related to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the hands, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including abnormal gait, left and right knee disabilities, breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroenteritis, gallbladder removal, chronic constipation, bladder incontinence, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate, diabetes mellitus, and restless leg syndrome of the bilateral legs. The claims are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claims for PTSD, a separate acquired psychiatric disorder (to include schizophrenia), hypertension, and right-side paresis have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently evaluated at 10 percent and no higher, due to lack of readings meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent and no higher. The claim is remanded as there is no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks.,The Veteran's residuals of right ankle fracture are currently evaluated at 10 percent and no higher, due to the lack of evidence showing very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.