Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for service-connected hypertension, PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, gouty arthritis of the ring and little finger on the right hand, prostate cancer (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for gouty arthritis of the ring and little finger on the right hand is remanded. The claims for service connection for carcinoma of the prostate (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 20, 2017 for service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The claims for service connection for prostate cancer (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.

The Board denied an effective date prior to August 21, 2007 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD), status post coronary artery bypass surgery and placement of automatic implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD).,An earlier effective date was not granted as there is no basis in law to do so.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome has been reopened and is granted. The other issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening his claim of service connection for left knee chondromalacia patellae was granted. The appeals for other conditions were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, but remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to lack of a medical opinion on its relationship to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and gout due to incomplete information provided by the VA examiners.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hand finger disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his employment history and records from the unemployment office in Illinois. The decision on TDIU will be deferred until the other claims are resolved.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, a pulmonary disorder including lung cysts and asthma, hypertension, and memory loss due to potential issues with the evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining missing service treatment records and Reserve duty treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for hypertension, an acquired mental health condition, and a right knee condition due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of left ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes during the current appeal period.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including service connection claims and a rating claim.

The Veteran's left eye disability is not related to service, and hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is attributed to a 2011 electrocution incident.,Hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is not related to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The highest rating possible for the right knee condition is 60 percent.,Service connection for a left hip disability and/or left knee disability are remanded as they may be secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, right hip, and hypertension disabilities. The claims are remanded for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and the residuals of a gunshot wound to his right shoulder, cause him to need regular A&A due to physical limitations. The Board granted SMC based on this need.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran did not provide new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and for increased ratings for his psychiatric disability. The effective date of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was not granted prior to July 9, 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for hypertension. Service connection is also granted for this condition. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a heart condition, COPD, an enlarged prostate, and hypothyroidism due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, respiratory condition, and high blood pressure.