Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased level of SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete vocational rehabilitation folders. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations for her lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for right knee disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II were inadequate as they did not provide opinions on whether these conditions are aggravated by service-connected left knee disorder, hypothyroidism, respectively. The cases are being remanded to obtain further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder have been granted initial evaluations, but his tinnitus remains at a 10% evaluation. Effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension service connection was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left thumb disability due to possible worsening.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and tension headaches due to inextricably intertwined issues with the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus, hypertension, and a cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether hypertension is related to service-connected anxiety disorder and if it was caused or aggravated by that condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and higher ratings was dismissed due to withdrawal. The RO granted a 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD prior to May 21, 2012, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and hepatitis C. The reasons given were that the conditions did not manifest in service or within a presumptive period, there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology, and there was insufficient medical opinion linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of asthma, sinusitis, or allergic rhinitis related to service exposure. Service connection was granted for valvular heart disease with a staged rating from January 16, 2017. Increased ratings were denied for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, hypertension, cardiomyopathy and hypertensive heart disease with congestive heart failure, aortic aneurysm, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and generalized anxiety disorder) due to the Veteran's in-service conditions.,Service connection is also granted for these conditions on a secondary basis to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and hypertension, as both conditions are claimed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's personnel records show he repaired aircraft at Royal Thai Airforce Bases Ubon and Takhli during his service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertrophy of prostate on a causation basis, and hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's duties placed him at or near the perimeter of Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand, which is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents.

The claim for hypertension is reopened and granted. The claims for respiratory disorder, ulcer, GERD, foot condition, and skin condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects are still pending.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, neck, hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, arm, leg, hand, sinusitis, heart, hypertension, stomach, cancer, foot, diabetes mellitus, brain injury, and seizure disability. The decision was based on the lack of competent evidence supporting these claims.,The Board also remanded service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability, headache, earlier effective date for right ankle disability, and service connection for a disability of the hips.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as being secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for a back injury and hypertension, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for asbestosis and gastritis, and has remanded the remaining issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidence received since the August 2015 statement of the case warrants a remand for further action on the issues of service connection for various disabilities.