Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his in-service herbicide-agent exposure. However, further examination and evidence are needed for premature ventricular contractions and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the possibility that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected bilateral knee instability and chondromalacia of the patellar, or if it is aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, hypertension, and neurogenic bladder. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disorders, left hand trigger finger disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiac disorder, and hypertension. The appeals are all denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's headaches were not characterized by prostrating attacks, and a compensable evaluation is denied.,Prior to January 20, 2015, the Veteran’s hypertension required medication for control; beginning from that date, it has been manifested by diastolic blood pressure of predominantly around 100 mm, and systolic pressure predominantly in the 170s and 180s. A compensable evaluation is granted.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction disability is manifested by loss of erectile power but not by penile deformity; a compensable evaluation is denied.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis despite service in Southwest Asia and widespread musculoskeletal pain.,Service connection for vertigo, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding the nature of the Veteran's symptoms and their relation to his service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a sleep disability, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of sleep apnea or chronic fatigue syndrome.,Service connection for angioneurotic edema of the right and left leg and edema of the right and left ankle is remanded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to hypertension.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed heart disorder, including hypertension, is related to his military service and exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and stroke have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct onset during service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities. The Board found the medical opinions against a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as the Veteran did not undergo a VA examination to determine its likely etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, high cholesterol, and degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service-connected conditions and exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected. The kidney disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw all claims on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Barrett’s esophagus with hiatal hernia, respiratory disability (including restricted lung capacity and chronic bronchitis), sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right nephrolithiasis, and PTSD was denied.,PTSD received an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's service connection claims for high cholesterol, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and Type II diabetes mellitus have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted for high cholesterol as it is a laboratory finding. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. His hypertension did not manifest with diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control. And his diabetes mellitus was not managed through regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted. The claim for a bilateral lower extremity vascular condition is remanded, as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of such a condition. The rating for obstructive sleep apnea was properly reduced to an 80 percent rating effective January 1, 2015.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 17, 1952 for the grant of service connection for hypertension and epistaxis (nosebleeds). The Veteran reported symptoms of high blood pressure and nose bleeding since service. As any reasonable doubt must be resolved in his favor, the Board finds that entitlement to service connection for these conditions arose in service prior to his December 1952 claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for right ear hearing loss disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and bilateral foot condition. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted. The Veteran's claims for vertigo, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nephrolithiasis, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inextricably intertwined issues and requests for a new Supplemental Statement of the Case.