Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension and low back disability claims are remanded for further examination and opinion. The hypertension claim is denied as the evidence does not show a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or current diastolic pressures of predominantly 100 or more.

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD, drug abuse as secondary to PTSD, and hypertension for additional development. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after completing the requested development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for dysthymic disorder was denied as there was no CUE in the November 2009 rating decision.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss were remanded due to new evidence showing a worsening of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are linked to his military service, but further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of sleep apnea, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to acute type I aortic dissection and service-connected burial benefits, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam contributed substantially to his hypertension, which was a contributing factor to his fatal acute type I aortic dissection.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,Chronic sinusitis has been characterized by chronic congestion with tenderness over the frontal sinus and occasional sinus headaches. The Veteran had no incapacitating or non-incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months.

The Veteran's death was used as a basis for substituting the appellant in his pending claims. The Board also found that additional VA treatment records from October 2005 to August 2011 are needed, and TDIU notice is required.

The Veteran's eye disability, claimed as 'High pressure in eyes (Possible glaucoma)', is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence showing its onset during service or within one year after service, and it is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for GERD is granted because the current disability is at least as likely as not related to service based on a diagnosis of acid reflux symptoms documented in STRs.,The Veteran's ingrown toenail of the left great toe is granted service connection due to evidence showing it was treated during service and persists into the present day.,Service connection for periodontal disease is denied because treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease are not considered disabilities for purposes of compensation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, alcoholism, hypertension, and colon polyps have been denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's hypertension and colon polyps.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, hypertension, residuals of colon cancer, chloracne, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to herbicide exposure. Additional development is required including obtaining VA treatment records, authorization for a physical examination, and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability due to his claimed left-sided weakness, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of service connection for a left hand disability, a left knee disability, including as due to a service-connected right knee disability, and for hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied service connection as it did not manifest in service or within the one-year presumptive period, and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's low back disability was denied an increased rating higher than 40 percent as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine.,The Veteran's ulcerative colitis was granted an initial 30 percent rating, but no higher. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the symptoms have more nearly approximated moderately severe symptoms with frequent exacerbations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran has IHD, any other heart disorder related to service or IHD, and whether a non-IHD heart disorder is due to or caused by the service-connected heart disability. The examiner must provide detailed opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension, neurological disorder (manifested by dizziness), disability manifested by pain in the joints, kidney disability, and sleep disorder are all granted service connection. The neurological disorder is not related to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 30 percent rating prior to December 23, 2015. The ratings for sleep apnea and hypertension remain unchanged.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress features is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of claim. Service connection for fibromyalgia, CFS, hypertension, IBS, and a headache disorder are granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypertension, ED, right ear hearing loss disability, and allergic rhinitis have been granted. The effective dates for these grants are not earlier than March 13, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability has been denied. His claim for OSA is also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as service-connected, but the claims for other conditions are either dismissed or remanded.,The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder injury status post left Mumford procedure is related to her in-service motor vehicle accident and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about VA's duty to obtain a letter from CURR/JSRRC regarding herbicide exposure in Korea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and prostate disorder, which he claims are related to his alleged exposure to herbicides during active service.