Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The decision affords the Veteran the benefit of reasonable doubt and finds there is medical evidence establishing a link between his service-connected OSA and his diagnosed hypertension.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability is granted. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, with the opinion that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected disabilities (CAD and diabetes mellitus).,The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection of an eye disability is denied. The evidence does not support the presence of any current eye disability.,Service connection for hypertension is denied, with no competent evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and denied it as there is no evidence of a disease or injury during active service, and no indication that hypertension manifested within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to her service-connected acquired psychological condition (including anxiety).,Service connection for a thyroid condition is denied.,An increased rating for the Veteran’s acquired psychological condition (including anxiety) is denied, but the issue of service connection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for dysfunctional uterine bleeding is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and TBI residuals, including migraine headaches, were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to outstanding service treatment records and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD with emphysema and hypertension were denied as new evidence did not establish a relationship to service. The claim for hypertension was reopened, but still denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues related to service connection, including obtaining missing records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was restored to a 60% rating from July 1, 2014. The appeal for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the reduction of the evaluation has been granted. Service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Veteran's heart disease and hypertension are not service-connected.,The Veteran's blood clots of the left leg, erectile dysfunction, right knee disorder, upper back disorder, foot disorder, sleep apnea, and abdominal aortic aneurysm are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a heart disability, as well as the claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran is also required to provide updated VA treatment records and any relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. However, additional development is required before reaching the merits of the Veteran’s service-connection claim for heart disease.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including tinnitus, high cholesterol, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a facial scar. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for hypertension. The Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, but the Board found that hypertension began during service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease has been increased to 30 percent, effective February 9, 2010. The increase is based on evidence of left atrial dilatation documented in an echocardiogram.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating for the period between February 1, 2012 and February 27, 2012. The issue of TDIU prior to October 20, 2011 is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, thyroid cancer, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has also been granted. However, a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, hypertension, and thyroid removal are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death because there was no evidence that his service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death. The residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) with hypertension were not found to be a contributing factor in his death.