Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's chronic bilateral eye photophobia and right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy are granted service connection. His hypertension is denied, as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after his service. The reduction in rating for the upper lumbar spine disability from 60 percent to 20 percent was proper, but the discontinuation of TDIU based on this rating change is denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was congestive heart failure, but the Board found no service connection for these conditions and denied the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective January 1, 2019. Service connection for residuals of right great toe injury and hypertension are both granted. The Veteran's service connection claim for right knee condition and left knee degenerative joint disease remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, left-leg residuals of broken leg, right-knee disorder, right-ankle disorder, left-ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia disorder, right-lower-extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected chronic sinusitis and hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 30% effective October 1, 2017. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for HIV, depression, hypertension, and headaches as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation due to unresolved issues, including service connection for a respiratory disability and TDIU prior to October 20, 2016. The appeal regarding hypertension and peroneal neuropathy right lower extremity remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not timely filed, and thus he did not have a valid appeal to consider.

The Veteran's hypertension rating is dismissed. The lower back disability rating is restored to 40 percent, effective June 17, 2016. Other ratings are denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for reopening and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of these issues during a hearing. The claim for peripheral neuropathy was reopened, but denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for GERD and hypertension on direct bases and as secondary to PTSD because no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension since June 27, 2016. The effective date was not changed as the Veteran's claim arose in service and he did not file a formal application before that date.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of hypertension and bilateral pes planus, as well as service connection for tinnitus and a skin condition of the feet. The appellant withdrew his appeal prior to the decision.

The Board denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing a need for regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a left thigh disorder and hypertension due to insufficient evidence in some areas, requiring further examination and review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except diabetes mellitus type II is remanded. The Board will seek to obtain private treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of various conditions including left shoulder, right shoulder, left hand, right hand, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral lower extremities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.