Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension and prostate cancer are being remanded for further development.,Service connection is also being remanded for the Veteran’s knee disabilities, as well as his thoracolumbar spine disability. The effective dates of service connection will be determined based on the evidence provided during this process.,A TDIU rating is also being remanded due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and peripheral arterial disease of the bilateral legs were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the underlying claim of service connection for hypertension. For tinnitus, the preponderance of the evidence was against a finding that it began during service or is related to in-service noise exposure. For peripheral arterial disease of the bilateral legs, there was no indication that the condition was associated with service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his exposure to herbicides during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for Hepatitis C, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches are granted. The initial rating for seborrheic dermatitis remains unchanged.

The Veteran's CAD status post CABG is now rated at 100% effective June 18, 2018. Prior to this date, the condition was rated at 30%. The increase in rating reflects a significant improvement in symptoms.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current tinnitus symptoms attributable to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient information about the Veteran's separation from service and needs clarification of the codes used in his DD-214. The AOJ must also obtain his complete service personnel records for further investigation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, nasal fracture residuals, and hypertension have worsened since his last VA examinations in 2014-2015. Therefore, he is being asked to provide updated medical records and undergo new evaluations for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and left kidney disease requiring removal, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation.,Service connection for right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, low back disability, hepatitis C, and tinnitus has also been denied.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, bladder and kidney disabilities, PTSD, and hypertension. The appeals are all denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, right knee condition, and tinnitus claims are remanded for further development. The Board finds that the effective date for service connection of hypertension cannot be earlier than June 1, 2016.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a new examination and updated VA treatment records to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and he is awarded a 10% rating for his hypertension. The claims of secondary service connection for urinary frequency, headaches, sleep condition, and skin condition to hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed herbicide exposure. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hyperhidrosis or any other sweating disability, and his GERD and hiatal hernia are also denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by liver cancer, with severe essential hypertension contributing significantly. Service connection for the cause of death is granted due to his service-connected disabilities. DIC benefits are denied as he did not meet the required duration criteria. Accrued benefits are also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, transient cerebral ischemic attack, and a skin disorder due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional development being required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostate cancer due to a lack of evidence of herbicide agent exposure during active service. The disabilities were not shown to have onset in service or be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cirrhosis as a result of hepatitis C is granted. The claims for right foot disability, hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.