Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss, finding that the Veteran did not have an intent to apply for disability benefits related to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or gout/arthritis prior to December 31, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying his periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DM, esophageal condition, hypertension, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, lumbar DJD with IVDS, and sleep apnea, were all granted effective May 24, 2013. The Board found that there was no earlier claim received prior to the Veteran's most recent period of active service (March 2012 to May 2013).

The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraines has been reopened and granted. The claims for increased ratings for hypertension, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and plantar fasciitis are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and to obtain additional medical records. The issues include cervical spine disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for high blood pressure before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's hypertension has been granted, but the effective date remains November 14, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inextricably intertwined issues. Specifically, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, erectile dysfunction, skin cancer of the face, arms, and back, and depression and anxiety are all being reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, TBI, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension) do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension, which he claims began during service, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s right wrist tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis have not resulted in functional limitations that warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board is requesting additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his back disorder, hypertension, right knee condition, left knee condition, right lower extremity nerve damage (secondary to right knee), and left lower extremity nerve damage (secondary to left knee).

The Veteran's claim for a 50% evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted. Service connection for other conditions such as skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and back problem are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to the Veteran's current diagnosis not meeting the criteria for a disability. The issue of service connection for a respiratory system disability, specifically sinusitis and rhinitis, is remanded as an additional VA medical opinion must be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, skin cancer, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder were denied as they are not related to service. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing its relationship to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded several other issues including heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, skin rash of the face, arms, and feet, unspecified brain disorder, and prostate disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and nephropathy with hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to alcohol dependence, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran died from metastatic gastric cancer.