Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder joint pain, sinusitis, and hypertension need further examination and review. The case is being sent back to the RO for additional evaluations.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of the service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The examiner concluded that IHD was not present and did not contribute to COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides. The Board also found that diabetes did not cause or aggravate his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension, effective September 16, 2018. Prior to that date, the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of evidence of a penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for higher level SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and CVA, as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the Veteran does not have a current disability related to such during the pendency of his claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected conditions, including asthma and depressive disorder. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for prostate cancer with urinary frequency due to exposure to herbicide agents is granted.,Service connection for hypertension and kidney stones are denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer with urinary frequency is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to a lack of a complete rationale and because an examination is needed to determine if there is any relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension and respiratory disorder (asthma) are being remanded for additional development as the current evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from March 15, 2012. A TDIU is granted as of March 23, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues regarding sleep apnea and hypertension due to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted. The claim for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a right knee disability due to insufficient examination and opinion. The claims for service connection for ED, headaches, and hypertension remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted and rated at 70 percent, effective from May 24, 2016. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are also granted. Hypertension remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension to include as secondary to cardiomyopathy, and diabetes mellitus to include as secondary to cardiomyopathy.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to active service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any instances of treatment or diagnosis related to these conditions during his military service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and a back disorder due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding Vet Center records, updated VA treatment records, and additional examination.

The Board has denied service connection for left leg condition, anxiety disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The issues of acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder), rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism are remanded due to incomplete development.