Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The appeal to reopen service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied. Service connection for hypertension, headaches, and depression were also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, left shoulder disability, neck disability, and foot disability is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary/bladder disability, chest pain (atypical chest pain), respiratory/shortness of breath/wheezing/asthma, hypertension (high blood pressure), pelvic pain (fibroids and severe cramps), and anemia due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a prostate disorder was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim. Appeals for other conditions were denied as untimely.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia Disorder (also claimed as psychosis), Depression, Hypertension, and a Renal Disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's condition on November 3, 2013 was of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous. The nearest VA facility was not feasibly available during the emergency period and an attempt to use one beforehand would not have been considered reasonable by a prudent layperson.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and hypertension due to inadequate evidence regarding these conditions. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, including VA treatment records and private treatment records if available.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the claim on appeal, including obtaining updated VA examinations and considering new evidence. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened since their last evaluations, and a remand for further examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, left ankle talocalcaneal coalition with associated left tibialis posterior tendonitis, and other orthopedic conditions, render him unemployable prior to August 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure due to outstanding medical records and further investigation into the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection on accrued benefits and substitution basis due to new evidence being added to the file, including medical records and the Appellant's hearing testimony. The AOJ must make a determination regarding the Appellant’s request for substitution and provide appropriate notifications.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for bilateral localized degenerative joint disease with bruxism and service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and left knee disability have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions based on the continuity of symptomatology since the in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches due to outstanding private treatment records and addendum opinions are needed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed related to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Thailand. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, scar from heart surgery, and other conditions have been granted service connection. A 10% rating has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss as of September 11, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to hypertension, which was found to have contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. The Veteran had elevated blood pressure readings during his military service and a diagnosis of hypertension before his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied as his blood pressure readings have not more nearly approximated the criteria associated with a 10% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a spinal disability, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy due to incomplete records from the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) file.