Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for an additional medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service or aggravated by any of his service-connected conditions, including diabetes and PTSD. The opinion should consider whether there is a link between herbicide exposure in Vietnam and the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, initial rating for sinusitis, and initial compensable rating for hypertension due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a bunionectomy (claimed as bunion left foot) due to the lack of evidence showing that the condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Board denied service connection for residuals of a uvulectomy because there is no indication that the appellant's disability developed during his period of active duty and it is not related to any in-service injury or disease.,The Board denied service connection for hypertension as there was no evidence showing its onset during active service or being related to an in-service injury or disease. The appellant did not serve in Southwest Asia or Vietnam, but he claimed exposure to environmental hazards from the Gulf War and Agent Orange.,The Board denied service connection for residuals of gall bladder surgery due to lack of evidence showing that the condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted. The issue of a higher rating for his right shoulder impingement syndrome prior to September 26, 2016 and thereafter is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for cholesterol, increased SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, increase in disability rating for chronic renal insufficiency with hypertension, separate compensable rating for hypertension, and initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral cataracts are all remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's claims are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The cervical spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent, the left knee disability remains at 10 percent, and hypertension is also rated at 10 percent. GERD receives a 10 percent rating. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the prior examinations and additional evidence needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. The evidence did not support the Veteran's contention that his service-connected knee disabilities caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, hypertension, and hepatitis C due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, heart valve disorder, hypertension, skin cancer, and enlarged neck glands are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.,There is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for elevated cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's hypertension and Hepatitis C were denied service connection as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to his military service.,For diabetes, left brachial plexus injury, bilateral knee conditions, lower spine condition (secondary), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (secondary), and special monthly pension claims, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for kidney disease, hypertension, and macular degeneration have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in August 2016.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted a rating of 60 percent effective January 27, 2012. The TDIU claim for prior to October 23, 2008, was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for kidney disease, hypertension, peripheral and median neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and median neuropathy of the upper extremities due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease have been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are still pending.,An effective date earlier than May 21, 2013 has not been established for tinnitus.

The appeal for hypertension is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, including as associated with Peyronie's disease and as secondary to PTSD and diabetes mellitus, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his time in service, particularly related to herbicide exposure.