Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and eye disability (including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract), finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, residuals of a right knee fracture secondary to service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Board also remanded the issues regarding cervical spine and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint diseases.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the reopening of a service connection claim for hypertension because no new and material evidence was submitted, and the Veteran's contention that his condition is related to service lacks medical expertise.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions from a previous VA examiner and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's hypertension and hernia are being evaluated again to determine if they are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was denied on the merits due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis or treatment for hypertension prior to his death. The claim for nonservice-connected death pension was denied as a matter of law because the Veteran did not have qualifying service for this benefit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence. His hypertension is granted with a 10% evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain due to undiagnosed illness, but denied service connection for right shoulder pain and high blood pressure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. The claims are being returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, hypertension, nephropathy, and onychomycosis are not rated higher than the current 20% levels.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of cataracts, toe nail fungus, right ankle condition, bilateral foot condition, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, respiratory condition, and skin rash have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision. The effective date of the hypertension award is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the case to obtain additional medical evidence. The Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected traumatic fibromyositis of lower back with tenderness and spasm of lumbar vertebral musculature, but further evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for osteomyelitis, vasculopathy, tinnitus, and PTSD. The rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and the effective dates for service connection for hypertension and depressive disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that these conditions are a result of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims were remanded for rating decisions on other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea with hypoxia, as well as the initial rating for hypertension and service connection for diverticulosis (claimed as diverticulitis) and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted, with an effective date of April 4, 2014. Service connection for PTSD was also granted with the same effective date. However, service connection for enlarged heart was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PCOS and high blood pressure due to undiagnosed illness are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.,Service connection for respiratory disability other than service-connected rhinitis is also denied, with the Board finding that all symptoms have been accounted for by other diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the failure of VA to contact him at his new address in Georgia. The examinations scheduled for June 2018 have not been conducted, and a copy of the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) was sent to two prior addresses in South Carolina.