Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The hypertension claim is remanded for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for service-connected hypertension is denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and remanded hypertension due to insufficient evidence on direct and secondary bases.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, type II, residuals of prostate cancer, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The effective date issue related to nonservice-connected pension is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and hypertension, as well as an increased rating for major depressive disorder, were granted. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied due to lack of current diagnosis. A 10 percent initial rating was granted for hypertension. Major depressive disorder remains at a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for stress disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted, with the disability considered secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at their maximum allowable levels. His knee disabilities and other conditions remain under review.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a request from the Veteran's attorney for an initial review of new evidence and arguments.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2009 for the grant of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue is moot as the Veteran was already receiving a total disability rating for CAD from January 6, 2009 to January 31, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted due to the addition of new evidence showing a nexus between his hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. A 100% rating for COPD/Asthma from August 15, 2012 onward is granted. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted, and the appellant is seeking a higher initial disability rating. The Board finds that this constitutes an addition to or expansion of the original claim.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been rated at 70 percent. The appeal for higher ratings is denied. The appeals for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and headaches are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which was claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and verify the Veteran’s presence in Vietnam.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status was not established due to his service-connected disabilities, as the majority of his physical limitations were caused by nonservice-connected conditions. The Board found that SMC is not warranted based on either the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective July 14, 2016. The effective date for the higher rating remains pending as it is based on the filing of a noninitial claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic back pain, hypertension, neck condition, and right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered after further examination and review.

The Veteran's eczema was initially rated as noncompensable before June 15, 2016 and granted a 30 percent rating after that date.,His hypertension was initially denied prior to June 15, 2016 but granted a 10 percent rating after that date. The Veteran's cranial nerve paralysis was granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and hypertension, finding no evidence of their onset during active duty or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.