Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the gastrointestinal condition, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's migraine headaches and his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, lumbosacral spondylosis, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), giant cell arteritis (GCA), bilateral pulmonary embolism, hypertension, and glucose intolerance due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder condition, neck disability, chronic right knee pain, and others. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for various conditions and exposure to noise. The Veteran's claims for PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The heart disability and diabetes mellitus claims have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney disorder due to further development being required, including notifying the appellant of her right to waive substitution.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension should be remanded for further examination and review of private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection and there is no presumption applicable due to exposure to herbicides. Additionally, the Veteran's diabetes did not cause or aggravate his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected, and he was awarded increased ratings for his hip disabilities. The TDIU rating is also granted.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected hypertension, effective from April 10, 2014 to March 8, 2019. The criteria for this rating are met as the Veteran requires continuous medication and had a history of diastolic pressures predominantly above 100 prior to taking medication.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for coronary artery disease is denied as it was received within one year of separation from service.

Your appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension prior to February 13, 2018 and other conditions. The missing VA treatment records from April 2017 to February 2018 are required.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for hypertension has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for hypertension was also granted on the basis of aggravation by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed as she withdrew her appeals. The claim of initial compensable ratings from November 1, 2011 and continuing thereafter for service-connected status-post gallbladder removal and scar tissue of gallbladder surgery was also dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The issues of service connection for anemia, bilateral knee DJD, GERD, and hypothyroidism are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues remaining is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran filed a timely NOD with respect to the denial of service connection for tinnitus and a systolic murmur in December 2013, and the appeal is granted.