Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service and whether it was caused or aggravated by any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical evidence, including any DOD or VA records related to his hypertension diagnosis in service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to a failure to comply with previous directives. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again by VA, and his hypertension will be evaluated in light of any new information.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and no current evidence linking the condition to service.,High cholesterol is considered a laboratory finding and not a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.,For the period prior to August 14, 2014, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder meets criteria for a rating of 70 percent but no higher.,Service connection for sleep apnea was remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for a skin disability other than PFB (likely PFB) is remanded as there are no current findings or diagnoses supporting this claim.,Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted. The Board has remanded the cases for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (including atrial fibrillation), hypertension, and skin disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the relationship between hypertension and presumed herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep disorder, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability have not been found to be related to his active duty service.,Service connection for these conditions has therefore been denied.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. Service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical evidence and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown during service or within one year of separation, and are therefore not service-connected.,Malaria is not a condition that can be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of malaria.,Hypertension was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and is not service-connected.,Ulcerative colitis is not related to active service.,Metastatic rectal cancer is presumed to be due to the Veteran's active service.,Left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy are all found to be related to the Veteran's active service.,PTSD was not diagnosed during service or within one year of separation. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.,An acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressive disorder, is secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected rectal cancer.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records from prior to February 2013 and April 2018, as well as any SSA disability records and Walter Reed Army Medical Center records related to his heart failure. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination for his hypertension claim.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of multiple conditions, including deformed fingers, constant fatigue, cardiovascular condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and kidney condition. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since June 17, 2013.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral foot disability, but remanded for further development and examination. The claims of service connection for hypertension and psychiatric disability are also remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's diastolic pressure readings were not predominantly 120 or more.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and ESRD, to include as secondary to hypertension due to a lack of compliance with duty-to-assist requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relation to service, specifically herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension with transient ischemic attack was denied as there is no legal entitlement to such a date.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened and granted.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to major depressive disorder.,Service connection for cataracts, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, chronic right hip strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted with effective dates of February 28, 2013.,Coronary artery disease is granted with an effective date of January 28, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the highest permissible level (10%). The Board has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, rating, and compensation for his lumbar spine disability, pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension.