Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD prior to November 10, 2008. The issues of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability status.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving on TDY in Guam. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure and obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between such exposure and his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability does not meet the criteria for a 100% rating, and thus denied restoration of the 100% rating.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), depressive disorder, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected. The Board finds insufficient evidence to support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,For the entirety of the appeal period, the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service herbicide exposure or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, heart condition, hypertension, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and several musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection with an effective date of June 20, 2017. The remaining claims for throat cancer, depression, thyroid disorder, loss of taste, and hemorrhoids were all denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a depressive disorder secondary to other conditions and multiple physical impairments related to diabetes and Agent Orange exposure, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since at least November 16, 2012. The Board has granted TDIU from that date. However, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 16, 2012 is remanded due to evidence suggesting he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tuberculosis is currently inactive and does not have compensable residuals. His hypertension has not been predominantly manifested by diastolic pressure 110 or greater or systolic pressure 200 or greater, so he cannot receive a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a heart murmur. The Veteran's current hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his in-service heart murmur, as the preponderance of the evidence does not support such a finding.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, chronic neuralgia, and acquired psychiatric condition. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's left knee and right knee disorders are granted service connection, while her sinusitis with headaches is denied.,Service connection for a hip disorder, peripheral vestibular condition, and GERD with dysphagia is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to outstanding VA medical records and an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sleep apnea have been granted. The claims for hypertension and lower back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee meniscal tear and anterior cruciate tear was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.,The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's varicose veins were rated at 10 percent each leg. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to relief by elevation and compression hosiery.,The Veteran's scar, left knee status post-surgery was rated at 0 percent as it did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7805.