Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, but the claim for tinnitus was reopened and granted. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's right eye condition and hypertension were denied as they are not related to service. The Board found no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury during service for the right eye condition, and there is no indication that the current wrist, back, ankle, and psychiatric conditions are related to military service.,The Veteran's bilateral wrist, lumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities were remanded as VA needs to determine if they are related to her military duties. The acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and mental disorder for treatment purposes were also remanded due to the need to corroborate the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as not related to his active duty or service-connected diabetes.,High cholesterol is denied as a laboratory finding and not a chronic disability for VA benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected as it did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's papillary thyroid cancer was not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension, associated with PTSD with depression and anxiety, was not rated higher than noncompensable (zero percent) due to the lack of diastolic or systolic pressure elevation requiring continuous medication. The Veteran did not meet criteria for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded two other issues: a claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and a TDIU prior to February 15, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by his attorney.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for anemia, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure as secondary to anemia due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's anemia.

The Veteran's hypertension was found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD, allowing for the grant of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs and procuring relevant dental records.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for genital herpes simplex with condylomata acuminate, the highest available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's use of acyclovir and valvacyclovir to manage his herpes outbreaks is considered a systemic therapy that requires constant or near-constant treatment.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an additional VA opinion is needed to determine if regulation of activities is required for medical management. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to evaluate whether his hypertension or erectile dysfunction are due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied service connection. The Board found that the current conditions did not manifest during or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran was unable to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and for adjudication of the nonservice-connected death pension claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for toenail disorder is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are also denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions beginning during service or being related to any in-service event, disease, or exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension was not determined to be secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, hypertension, TBI and cranial nerve damage are all found to have their onset in service. The Veteran's chronic headaches and TBI were granted service connection. However, the Veteran's hypertension and cranial nerve damage remain unresolved due to remand for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for further factual development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and whether his hypertension is related to diabetes mellitus or service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing the onset or etiology in service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding its etiology.