Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

Service connection for hyperlipidemia, headaches, hyperthyroidism, depression, Peyronie's disease, colon polyps, West Nile virus, tinea, GERD, intestinal disorder (to include IBS and chronic diarrhea), back condition, hypothyroidism, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction is denied.,Service connection for PTSD was awarded on February 13, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as the Veteran does not have a current disability related to such during the pendency of his claim and there is no recent diagnosis prior to filing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. However, the Veteran's hypertension cannot be linked to his military service and thus is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, headaches, COPD, hypertension, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder are all denied as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish their relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran has not had a low back disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran’s right hip disability did not begin during active service and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s left hip disability did not begin during active service and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran has not had a bilateral eye disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's hypertension was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for high blood pressure, stroke with residual left side paralysis, and headaches with dizziness as secondary to hypertension. The evidence supports a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II as these conditions are not among the enumerated diseases presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was also denied for osteoarthritis of all joints, including the bilateral knees, bilateral ankles, right shoulder, and right elbow, due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, right foot disability, tinnitus, PTSD, hypertension, left knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and plantar fasciitis. The appeals are currently pending due to the need for additional medical records review.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, BPH, and DM II. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and hypertension, finding new and material evidence. However, the claim for service connection for diverticulitis remains denied as there is no medical nexus between the Veteran's military service and his current condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension has been denied due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for his right breast scar status post-surgical excision right breast gynecomastia was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher or separate rating were not more nearly approximated.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for his right breast scar status post-surgical excision right breast gynecomastia was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim within one year of separation from service. The RO granted service connection on the date of receipt of claim, May 22, 2015.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for his right wrist ganglion cyst (claimed as right-hand arthritis), sleep apnea (claimed as a sleep disorder), hypertension, and migraine headaches were all denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition to include post-traumatic stress disorder and persistent depressive disorder was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for parkinsonism and truncal ataxia, hypertension, and a nervous system disease including ADD, all of which are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report and a need for updated treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any respiratory disorder found to be present.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma, but remanded the issues of service connection for allergies and hypertension (secondary to allergies and asthma). The Veteran's period of service is not found to have resulted in aggravation of his pre-existing allergies. A new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's allergy medication aggravates his hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for right knee injury residuals, asthma, acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and posttraumatic stress disorder), epidermis removal, kidney stones, hypertension, transient ischemic attacks, cardiovascular disease, and a right lung disability.,There is no evidence of any chronic right knee disability during active duty or within one year after separation. The appellant's current right knee disability was not related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Board found that asthma did not manifest during active duty service and there is no indication it is related to an in-service disease or injury.,There is no evidence of a psychiatric disability during active duty service, nor within one year after separation. The appellant's current acquired psychiatric disability was not linked to his military service.,Epidermis removal was not noted in service records and there is no indication it is related to the appellant’s active service.,Hypertension did not manifest during active duty or within one year of discharge, nor is there any evidence linking it to an in-service disease or injury.,Transient ischemic attacks were not present during active duty or within one year after separation. There is no indication that post-service transient ischemic attack or its residuals are causally related to active service.,Cardiovascular disease did not manifest during active duty or within one year of discharge, nor is there any evidence linking it to an in-service disease or injury.,A right lung disability was not present during active duty or within one year after separation. There is no indication that the current right lung disability is causally related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from April 8, 2011 to September 7, 2016. The Veteran also met the criteria for TDIU during this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service and that it is not related to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but has remanded the issue of service connection for coronary artery disease due to insufficient evidence.