Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected CAD was reduced from 60% to 30%, and his benefits were restored effective July 1, 2015. Service connection for hypertension, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and diabetes mellitus (type II) have been granted with effective dates of October 28, 2010.

The Veteran's hypertension and obesity are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of a higher initial rating for migraine headaches is remanded, and the issue of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with this matter.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis of the right knee, hypertension, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete medical records and lack of nexus opinions.

The Board has dismissed the claim of an increased rating for hypertension and denied service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated as noncompensable, with a compensable rating not met due to the absence of penile deformity.,Service connection for hypertension has been denied. The VA examiner did not address whether the hypertension is secondary to service-connected atherosclerosis and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ear condition was denied due to lack of an established nexus.,Service connection for neck, left knee, and sleep conditions were also denied as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the recent NAS report indicating sufficient evidence of an association between hypertension and herbicide exposure.,Peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities is also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected PTSD, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, spinal condition (cervical and lumbar degenerative disease), right shoulder disorder, hypertension, and skin disorder (psoriasis).,The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen service connection for a stomach disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney disease have been granted. The cases are all being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's heart condition, including hypertension. The issue of service connection is being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to a lack of VA medical records and an incomplete verification of in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various diabetes-related conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for basal cell carcinoma, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, but denied them on their merits. Service connection was granted for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic ear inflammation is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for hypertension (HTN) was not granted due to the absence of a currently diagnosed disorder and failure to meet the threshold for an examination. The Board found that the Veteran did not manifest HTN within one year of service, and thus cannot be presumed to have developed it during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence, including private and/or VA treatment records related to his heart, sudden death syndrome, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), and myopathy.

The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches were not shown to be related to service.,The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, back condition, sleep disorder, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity have not been established as being related to service.

The Board has added new evidence to the record, including treatment records and service treatment records. The claims for lower back disability and high blood pressure are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The hypertension claim remains pending as a remanded issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected malaria. The VA needs to obtain a medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbosacral strain with rheumatoid spondylitis, sacroiliac joints and degenerative joint disease, coronary artery disease, PTSD, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.