Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable, and his migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent prior to February 12, 2019, but a 30 percent rating is granted for the same condition starting from that date.,Cervical spine degenerative joint and disc disease and left knee status post ACL repairs are remanded for further examination and rating consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension to include as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DMII, and IHD. The remand requires a new VA examination with an updated opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted an initial 20 percent rating, while other conditions remain at their current ratings.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date because he did not file a timely substantive appeal within 60 days of receiving the SOC.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not establish a current disability qualifying as ischemic heart disease or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, hypertension, TIA, high cholesterol, TBI, headache disorder, sleep disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, left foot disorder, and right shoulder disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions on service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.,Specifically, the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his hypertension. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion considering all relevant evidence, including recent NAS reports.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen his claim for service connection of hypertension. However, the case is remanded as new evidence received since the last denial does not establish that the appellant's current hypertension was incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA). The examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether the appellant's pre-existing hypertension worsened beyond its natural progression during ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension cases are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The sinus condition, lung condition (to include COPD), hypertension, residuals of cold weather injury (to include arthritis), and psychiatric disorder (to include depression) issues are remanded for further development.,Additional medical records must be obtained to determine the nature and cause of any current sinus condition, lung condition (to include COPD), hypertension, residuals of cold weather injury (to include arthritis), and psychiatric disorder (to include depression).

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Service connection for heart disability (IHD, arrhythmia, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) to include as due to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia is denied as it is not a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection granted for steatosis of the liver (Fatty Liver Disease) as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Allergic rhinitis and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Upper gastro-intestinal system disorder, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune illnesses, skin disorders, and hyperglycemia are also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease with hypertension were previously denied in March 2006. The Board found that no new and material evidence was received within the one-year appeal period, making the March 2006 decision final. As such, an effective date prior to July 3, 2008 is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including asbestos exposure, low back disability, sciatic nerve impingement, cervical spondylitis, sarcoidosis, diabetes, hypertension, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, gastroesophageal disease (GERD), and sinusitis. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for hypertension and low back disability, but granted his claim to reopen for low back disability. The denial is based on lack of nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with panic attacks caused or aggravated his hypertension during his lifetime.