Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10% prior to November 7, 2014 and from November 7, 2014 to the present.,The Veteran's nephrolithiasis is not rated higher than 10% prior to October 21, 2013 and from October 21, 2013 to the present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.,No effective dates are granted as all claims predate May 3, 2016.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple myeloma, hypertension, acute renal failure, and diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection is being remanded for further development on the following issues: lumbar spine condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot condition, left foot condition, right hand condition, and left hand condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, kidney stones, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to their inextricability with his petition to reopen a claim for service connection for Crohn’s disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including internal hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, right leg disability, left leg disability, right ankle disability (claimed as Achilles), right knee disability, left knee disability, right elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or etiologies related to these conditions that could be linked to service.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion considering in-service exposures and ongoing symptoms.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded as there may be an issue with verifying exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ should verify whether the USS Coral Sea was within the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea of Vietnam while the Veteran was aboard.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for a supplemental medical opinion considering his asserted in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for a supplemental medical opinion addressing whether it is related to bare-skin exposure to jet fuel during service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder) is being remanded as there may be issues with verifying in-service stressors. The AOJ should attempt to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors involving witnessing the death of a fellow serviceman aboard the USS Coral Sea during the '1967 cruise'.,The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, hiatal hernia, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded as secondary to his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ should attempt to obtain VA treatment records from Portland VAMC for the period between 1970 and 2002.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiological examination records, which may provide evidence of a worsening disorder.,The Veteran's ear infection disability is being remanded as there may be issues with obtaining relevant private treatment records. The AOJ should attempt to obtain these records and complete any necessary requests.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is rated at 50 percent, hypertension at a non-compensable rating, low back disability and left knee disability are both remanded for further evaluation.

The appeals of the issues of entitlement to service connection for arthritis, hypertension, a sleep disorder, a heart disorder, heat stroke, a gastrointestinal disorder, an arm disorder, a cholesterol disorder, a thyroid disorder, and hypokalemia are dismissed.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Veteran did not have any pending claims at the time of his death. The Veteran served as a recognized guerrilla but this does not qualify him for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension is remanded due to the need for an examination and medical opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and his service-connected PTSD, as well as consideration of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's kidney cancer and hypertension are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. However, his hypertension is denied as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and ED, but denied service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, COPD, seizures, MDD, and hypertension. The new evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims. The decision also denied an increased rating claim for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disabilities, left-sided hemiparesis, and posttraumatic stress disorder have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to prepare meals, manage medication, assist with hygiene needs, and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension and headaches condition due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The right inguinal hernia and painful surgical scar of abdomen associated with it have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives and failure to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's cause of death is related to ischemic heart disease, but service connection for this condition remains unclear.

The Veteran's tinnitus, MDD with alcohol substance abuse, and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these conditions are October 11, 2016.,The claims of service connection for tendinitis, left ear hearing loss, glaucoma, a thoracolumbar spine disability, COPD, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, and stomach ulcer remain pending. Further development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying PTSD stressors. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the current severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability and other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis is granted, while his claims for hypertension and other conditions are denied. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10% rating.