Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, and he received a 50% rating for migraine headaches. His syncope condition is also rated at least 20%. The appeal as to PTSD and sleep apnea secondary to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for back disability, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, and hepatitis C as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development and examination due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Faxton St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center in Utica, New York.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension and a right leg condition due to incomplete service treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain these records, including from Fort McClellan, and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit any additional information or evidence.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hand, shoulder, knee, foot conditions and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claim for sleep apnea is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and a remand is ordered to determine if the condition has worsened enough to warrant an increased rating.

The claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The Veteran's hearing loss is considered to be due to noise exposure during active duty.,The claim for service connection for hypertension (claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure) has been denied because the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that hypertension manifested within one year following separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, allergies, and headaches. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment from August 14, 2003 to February 24, 2004, and from March 20, 2008 to date.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be etiologically related to his hypertension, and the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been remanded due to the need for additional development of records, including SSA disability benefits records, mental health records from service, and workers' compensation records. The issues regarding tinnitus, low back disability, PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic headache disability, and psychiatric disability remain on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left eye disability, right eye disability, right-hand disability, and vertigo. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a left ankle disability and hypertension was denied. The left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, while the hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a back condition, and a skin condition are remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim seeking to reopen service connection for bronchial asthma is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Right Shoulder Disorder as the evidence did not support a current disability or link to service.

The Board found the Veteran's March 2013 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) untimely and denied his claims for service connection. The effective date for sleep apnea was set at March 4, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, cocaine abuse, and alcohol abuse). The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any related in-service injury, event, or disease.