Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection for anemia, which has been remanded. The hypertension issue remains pending.

The Board denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, a heart condition, gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia/GERD), and a right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his current hypertension, and thus grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has a master’s degree in educational administration and work experience as an Army instructor/teacher. The Board finds that the evidence is insufficient to show his physical impairments prevent him from performing sedentary work.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma-and-stressor related disorders. The decision also grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, but remands these issues due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were not present during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to military noise exposure.,Hypertension was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was related to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's current hypertension is attributed to his smoking habit, age, and lack of exercise.

The Board denied service connection and a compensable rating for hearing loss, right ear. The left shoulder disorder and right hip disorder were also denied as not incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disability due to Agent Orange exposure and granted a TDIU rating. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disability, but the Veteran was found unemployable due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart condition, to include hypertension, is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was due to his diagnosed Alzheimer's disease, which is not a service-connected disability. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Ichthyosis vulgaris is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C, joint disease disability (secondary to hepatitis C), and hypertension claims should be remanded for further development as they are related to service. The TDIU, nonservice-connected pension, and SMP issues are also remanded due to their interrelation with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis is granted a disability evaluation of 100 percent from May 30, 2011 due to pulmonary hypertension and forced vital capacity (FVC) less than 50% of the predicted value.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for headaches, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative facet arthropathy have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for hypertension has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), cervical spine DDD and IVDS, left ankle OA, and OSA as secondary to cervical spine DDD and IVDS have been granted.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), migraine headaches, diverticulitis with surgical scar and hemicolectomy, hypertension secondary to diverticulitis, and depression secondary to diverticulitis have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and hypertension due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection for a right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension, cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy, are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.