Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for Graves' disease, cardiological disability, colitis, left arm disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, cervical spine/neck disability, left lower leg/shin disability, and right lower leg/shin disability. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and hypertension are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and skin disorder were reopened due to new and material evidence. The rating reductions for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, ocular hypertension, and low back disorder were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent effective August 13, 2012. The cause of death due to hypertension and congestive heart failure is remanded for a medical opinion on whether it was related to service.

Service connection for hypertension is granted, and a 20 percent rating is assigned. The left eye third cranial nerve palsy is rated at 0 percent effective since April 2015. Multiple coronary artery bypass scars are rated at 20 percent due to pain and instability. Effective from August 31, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, left foot disability, right foot disability, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his bilateral foot disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and nose and left hand scars, was granted. The effective date of the increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, heart attack, heart disease, strokes, and cardiac bypass graft as there was no evidence of any of these conditions during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for groin disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia), and hypertension are remanded due to a lack of VA examination records. The Veteran served in active duty from August 1979 to August 1983.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a lower back disability, finding that the evidence did not show a current disability or in-service incurrence.,There is no medical evidence of a current diagnosis of a lower back disability. The Veteran's lay statements were considered but found to lack probative value.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nerve damage to the left arm and hand, hypertension, and kidney disability has been remanded due to new evidence received. The claims for these conditions are related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for PTSD and hypertension, as they are inextricably intertwined with the pending claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is to be provided a new VA mental disorders examination to determine the etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence regarding his Reserve service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea was granted. His heart murmur and aortic valve replacement were rated at 60 percent, effective from January 9, 2017. The Veteran's hypertension was denied as compensable, while his kidney disease with hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to in-service herbicide exposure. The claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 20 percent, but not higher. For the period prior to June 5, 2017, his bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis was rated as 10 percent. From June 5, 2017, it has been rated as non-compensable.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded for further evaluation and opinion.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss claims due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on these factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to an additional theory of entitlement for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which involves a new and material evidence. The examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the shrapnel wounds caused or aggravated hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and a need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.