Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to a lack of post-service medical records and unclear private audiogram. The Veteran is asked to provide any outstanding VA or private treatment records, and for clarification on his private audiogram.

Service connection for a left ankle disability is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim.,Entitlement to service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, to include as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension is granted.,For prostate cancer, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 5, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent beginning from that date, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diffuse joint and muscle pain, and hypertension has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence submitted since the September 2009 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating her claims. However, further examination is needed to determine the etiology of her lumbar spine condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is as likely as not related to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his service and hypertension, given new evidence from the National Academy of Sciences.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and also requested additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a supplemental clinical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his third period of active service from January 2004 to January 2005.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied because management of the condition required only insulin and/or an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet, which is consistent with the 20 percent rating criteria under Diagnostic Code 7913.,The Veteran's increased rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (from April 23, 2018 forward) was granted as it manifested in moderate incomplete paralysis of all radicular nerve groups without severe incomplete paralysis of all radicular nerve groups.,The Veteran's increased rating for right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied due to the lack of evidence showing moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,TDIU was granted as the Veteran has been unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disease, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right eye vision loss and left eye vision impairment, right foot amputation, and a heart disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and its secondary effects on other disabilities. The decision was based on a finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disc disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. Service connection is not granted for hyperglycemia.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and possibly a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. Service connection for persistent depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10%, and the issue of evaluating his lumbar spine disability with intervertebral disc syndrome remains pending.

The Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus are all service-connected. The rating for hypertension is restored to 20 percent, while ratings for CAD and DM remain at 20 percent.

Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia and hypertension secondary to PTSD.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is related to his service in the Gulf War, and his hypertension is proximately caused by his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and a psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Board denied service connection for uterine fibroids and hypertension as there was no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and the current conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to pain from her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's depression, migraine headaches, and thoracolumbar strain with IVDS are all found to be proximately due to her service-connected conditions. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied. Other claims for increased ratings have been decided in favor of the Veteran.