Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension has been remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ must review all available records and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected. Right and left leg varicose veins are denied, but the Board finds that continuous symptoms since service supports a grant of service connection for hypertension. The low back disability claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including coronary arteriosclerosis, hypertension, depression, headaches, peripheral vascular disease, and neuropathy. The VA will obtain relevant Social Security Administration records and arrange for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's coronary arteriosclerosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for hyperlipidemia, neurogenic bladder, and hypertension are denied. The Veteran's heart condition (angina) and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's current hypertension is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service and was not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's hypertension was not caused by or permanently made worse by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's current erectile dysfunction is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service. The Veteran’s erectile dysfunction was not caused by or permanently made worse by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including arthritis of the shoulders, elbows, hands, neck, back, hips, COPD, sleep apnea, and hypertension, have been denied as there is no competent evidence that any such disability may be etiologically related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, but denied service connection for ear pain, right leg condition, right arm numbness, concussions, and hypertension. Headaches are presumed to have been incurred during the Veteran's period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) due to a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by in-service loud noise exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder injury and hypertension due to a failure to obtain relevant records from VistA imaging, as well as an inadequate VA examination report. The Veteran will need updated VA treatment records and a new examination to determine his current symptomatology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertensive heart disease, and hypertension were denied. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent or a 10 percent rating. His hypertension met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to August 24, 2017. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent after that date. Service connection for GERD and Hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to January 10, 2018 and greater than 10 percent beginning January 10, 2018.,The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension prior to January 10, 2018 and denied any rating in excess of 10 percent for the condition beginning January 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to his service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence indicating these conditions should be service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to insufficient information regarding his income and net worth, preventing a determination of eligibility.

The Veteran's service-connected disability renders him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The claim of service connection for a respiratory condition (including asthma, COPD and sleep apnea) is denied because new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,The claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology and consideration of herbicide agent exposure.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation, as secondary to his diabetes disability, is remanded.