Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale provided by the August 2015 VA examiner regarding the etiology of various conditions, including right foot/ankle and left foot disorders, sleep apnea, hypertension, edema, kidney disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined and require further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable rating as per VA disability evaluation guidelines. The Board denied the claim because the Veteran's blood pressure readings have never consistently reached or exceeded the thresholds required for a 10% or higher rating under DC 7101.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, sleep disorder, hypertension, and TDIU claim. The AOJ must ensure that these issues are addressed appropriately.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that hepatitis C did not have its onset during service and was not incurred as a result of service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for pulmonary hypertension, including as due to asbestos exposure, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service exposure. The claim was denied on the basis of lack of probative medical opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and diabetes mellitus are all granted as service-connected. The joints disability, left hip disability, and dermatitis claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and bilateral pes planus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

Your headaches have been rated at 50 percent since April 1, 2012. This is the maximum rating available for your condition.,Your PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 1, 2012.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent evaluation, as it requires continuous medication for control and his diastolic pressure is predominantly 100 or more.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, headaches, memory loss, and a kidney disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and an increased rating for a low back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted service connection. The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of vitamin D deficiency, sleep apnea, kidney condition, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung cancer, brain cancer, hemiplegia of the left lower extremity, hemiplegia of the left upper extremity, seizures, and hypertension due to in-service asbestos exposure. The claims are also being remanded for clarification on periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and confirmation of exposure locations.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development and examination, including consideration of an extraschedular rating for his right shoulder arthroplasty.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for arterial hypertension, but denied it on its merits. The claims for heart disability and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and lumbosacral spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication and had a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, is granted an initial 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claims for hypertension, a bilateral elbow disability (claimed as pain and rashes), and COPD. However, these claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease due to the need for a medical opinion regarding their etiology.