Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The application to reopen claims for prostate cancer, low back disability, right leg disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied, as he did not meet the DSM criteria. The reduction in his lumbar spine rating from 40% to 20% effective September 3, 2015 was found to be proper due to improvement evidenced by more restricted range of motion and increased radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension for additional development.,Service connection is not granted for bilateral tinnitus as it did not manifest in service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether hypertension is caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and hypertension, finding no evidence of onset during active duty or within one year post-service.,Service connection was not granted on the basis of exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his active service and the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding records. The issues are related to rating his left acromioclavicular joint separation, right ankle sprains with degenerative joint disease, left ankle sprains with degenerative joint disease, and hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed during service and is currently present, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent evaluation, and the cervical spine disability claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tardive dyskinesia is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension is granted. The Board finds that remand is necessary due to new and material evidence received, including a diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left ankle disability, and hypertension as there was no evidence that these conditions began during active duty or were related to such service.,While the Veteran claimed his current back condition may be due to a prior injury in 1976, the Board found insufficient medical evidence linking this condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus was granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is related to exposure to certain herbicides and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his cardiac condition, peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy due to Agent Orange exposure. The appeals are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer and hypertension as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents has been granted. A 70% disability rating is assigned for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, effective from May 21, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension and a skin disability, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% rating. The claim for service connection of cervical spine disability and PTSD has been reopened, but the claims are denied. Service connection for respiratory disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and the claim for accrued benefits based on service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension (claimed as heart condition) has been granted.