Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and earlier effective dates were denied. The current rating for hypertension is 10 percent, but the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Effective dates for service connection of hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, status-post CABG, are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and pulmonary artery hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her in-service exposure to airborne environmental hazards.

The veteran's spouse is not eligible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable limit.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, nervous condition with stomach problems, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypercholesterolemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acute cholecystitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, CAD, and hypercholesterolemia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, and cerebrovascular accident due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension, which is claimed to be related to service-connected PTSD, should be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to exposure to herbicide agents. His claim for secondary service connection based on diabetes mellitus disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as the result of exposure to Agent Orange are granted. The claim for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to lack of evidence.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction, mood disorder, and sleep apnea is granted. Effective dates are set at April 12, 2016. Service connection for other conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition during the appeal period.,Service connection for hypertension is granted, with an initial rating of 30 percent based on recurrent stone formation requiring treatment.,The Veteran's nephrolithiasis is rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7508.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection was granted for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including upper back disability, hypertension, respiratory disability (due to asbestos exposure), leukemia, and thymoma cancer with hyperpigmentation and surgical scar, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that VA provide a medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, a disability manifested by body weakness, cataract condition, and arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service event or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and asthma have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for tension headaches has been denied. The claims for evaluations greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are remanded. Service connection for asthma is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension has been reopened, and the Board has decided to remand it due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension is remanded due to missed VA examinations and the possibility of homelessness. The RO must follow procedures for contacting homeless veterans and obtain all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysm is rated at 60 percent, effective April 25, 2019. The claim for TDIU is granted.