Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His claims for kidney disease and hypertension were not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during qualifying military service or aggravation by a service-connected condition. The Board also found that the appellant's lay statements were not competent to establish an etiological relationship between his current hypertension and his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Service connection for this condition is therefore denied.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was first diagnosed after service beyond the one-year presumptive period, and there is no evidence it is related to service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is also denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded for these examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential herbicide exposure and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability based on new and material evidence. However, further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current right knee condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The issue of increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right foot fibroma, and right foot hallux valgus is remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a right eye disorder or bilateral onychomycosis. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, and the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral onychomycosis are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as new and material evidence was not received, and the condition is considered to have pre-existed his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified anxiety disorder was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied because his hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and the relationship between service, exposure to herbicide agents, and the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded for further review, including obtaining SSA records and determining the eligibility for substitution. The DIC claim remains inextricably intertwined with the substitution issue.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral neuropathy of the foot, finding that it did not arise in service or manifest to a compensable degree within a year of separation from active duty. The claim was remanded for further development regarding hypertension.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, noting an update by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) upgrading its classification of evidence linking hypertension to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that his functional impairments due to bilateral pes planus and other conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, and hypertension are related to his service-connected right knee condition. The claims for a compensable rating for the right knee disability, service connection for the left knee disability, and service connection for hypertension have been remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and hypertension are dismissed.,The claims for service connection for solar lentigos and solar lentigines, chronic rhinitis and intermittent sinusitis, and sleep apnea are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, specifically PTSD and hypertension.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and aggravation of sleep apnea by service-connected PTSD have been granted. The effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction residuals and stenting is being determined in accordance with general regulations.,Service connection for coronary artery disease was established secondary to diabetes mellitus rather than on a presumptive basis, prior to its addition to the list of covered herbicide diseases.