Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic fever, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition and skin rash are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and high blood pressure due to a lack of service treatment records from the Veteran's time in the Army Reserves. The AOJ is instructed to verify any additional periods of service, including ACDUTRA and/or INACDUTRA, and obtain all relevant service records.

The Veteran's hypertension, limited motion of the jaw, and PTSD are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a rating in excess of 40 percent for his limited motion of the jaw, but not for his hypertension or PTSD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, pain disorder associated with arch pain, gouty arthritis, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and bilateral pes planus have been rated as 50%, 20%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, and 0% respectively. The combined rating is 70%. The Veteran's major depressive disorder has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's right eye cataract, left and right great toe degenerative changes, PTSD, lumbar strain, hypertension, hiatal hernia with reflux, and flat feet have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded initial ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s current sleep apnea began during active service and grants this claim. Other issues of service connection are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and hypertension as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims for sleep disorder, heart condition, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that service connection cannot be granted.,Service connection for a skin disorder affecting the hands and feet is denied because there is no competent evidence linking it to service, including exposure to aviation fuel.,Peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet is also denied as there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to March 28, 2017 and now receives a 10 percent rating from that date forward.,The Veteran’s hypertension is not service-connected. The VA examiner opined it is less likely than not caused by or related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension and service connection for heart murmur, finding that there was no evidence of a current disabling condition or functional impairment related to these conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of his service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. Additionally, the Board has found that a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s current heart disabilities and skin disorders are related to his military service.

Service connection is denied for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Respiratory Disorder with Chronic Cough, Hypertension, and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder. The remaining issues are REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and obesity caused his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was also denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides or a connection to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to TCE during active service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple conditions including hypertension, bladder cancer, chronic kidney dysfunction, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's bladder condition secondary to prostate cancer is also granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for flatfeet, restless leg syndrome, and rating for hypertension due to additional development being required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his heart disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after discharge. The Board also found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.