Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The claim for service connection of a positive TB skin test was denied due to lack of evidence showing underlying pathology. The claim for secondary service connection of hypertension is remanded as the Veteran has not been examined regarding this theory.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for hypertension was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,A rating of 60 percent for service-connected residuals of prostate cancer from October 19, 2015 to July 18, 2016 was granted.

The Veteran's right elbow, left hip, and right hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine tendonitis. The Board is remanding these claims for further development.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is not linked to any service-connected condition. The Board is also remanding this claim for further development.,The Veteran's right knee, bilateral foot pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, and right foot hallux valgus disabilities are all considered direct service connection cases. The Board is remanding these claims as well for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete Reserve records and unverified ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA periods of service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed mood). The criteria for these conditions were met as they began during service and have continued since.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including knee, shoulder, hip, and psychiatric conditions. The Veteran's claims are being referred back for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic coronary artery disease is granted as it was presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure. The issues of hypertension, kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper and lower extremity neurological disabilities are remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability, but denied all other claims.,PTSD was previously denied and is not being reconsidered.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service.,His neck muscle change was not linked to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for thyroid condition, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease have been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his PTSD claim, were granted. The initial rating for PTSD was denied, but the Veteran received a higher rating of 50 percent effective March 23, 2011. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent since July 10, 2017.

Service connection is granted for headaches, PTSD, and low back strain. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and hypertension are denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted with a rating of at least 50 percent prior to January 15, 2018, but the issue is remanded for further development regarding an evaluation in excess of 50 percent beginning January 15, 2018.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's causes of death and has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is found to be the primary cause of his hypertension. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a compensable initial rating of 10% for the period from April 19, 2010 through July 9, 2010.,The Veteran's hypertension prior to April 19, 2010 and after July 9, 2010 is denied a compensable initial rating.,The Veteran's major depression disorder is denied an increased rating in excess of 70%.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, varicose veins, hypertension, a right foot disorder, sleep apnea, and left foot disorders other than hallux valgus/bunionectomy residual due to new evidence submitted since the July 2012 decision. The Board found that these conditions are either unsubstantiated or not related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a nasal disorder, deviated septum. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, right leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and skin cancer are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.