Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The Veteran will need a new VA medical opinion addressing the etiology and relationship between his sleep apnea and his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical opinions regarding his psychiatric disability, headaches, and knee disabilities. The effective dates of service connection awards are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to support the reopening of his claims. The Board found that there was no nexus between any current conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including those from VA clinics not yet obtained. The claims are being returned for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension, to include as secondary to ischemic heart disease is denied. Other claims are either remanded or dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis disability. However, hypertension was diagnosed prior to OSA and a supplemental medical opinion is required to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance prior to April 24, 2018 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for a full step increase under subsection (p) due to lack of additional single permanent disability independently ratable at 100 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected left hip and left knee disabilities.,Service connection for a lower back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 are granted.,An initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 23, 2018, is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to service, but needs further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, high blood pressure, and eczema.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all issues on appeal by the accredited representative.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability. The claim for hypertension remains denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was denied as there is no evidence of chronic residuals from the 1974 Carlinville, Illinois car wreck.,Service connection for thoracolumbar DDD with radiculopathy was denied due to lack of service origin and post-service low back injuries. The Veteran's current condition is unrelated to his military service.,The claim for glaucoma, claimed as increased intraocular pressure, was denied because the evidence does not show a service origin for the condition.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of service origin.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding hypertension and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right hip was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and no link to service.,Service connection was also denied for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, low back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided that an addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for sleep apnea, neurocognitive disorder, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his household.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in actual or functional loss of use of either foot.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension are granted service connection, while the claim for multiple sclerosis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, PTSD and depression, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, left ankle DJD, lumbar spine strain, right Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome, rhinitis, and right elbow laceration scar have all been denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence.