Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for SMC higher than (m) plus (k) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under section 1114(o). The Veteran has more than one disability rated at 100 percent, but does not have two or more separate and distinct disabilities that would qualify him for SMC rates listed in subsections (l) through (n).

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The claim for headaches is also granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is denied. The claims for separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to November 9, 2012 are also denied. An initial 30 percent rating, but not higher, for adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension. The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus, which he claims is related to his time in service, but there is no medical evidence supporting this claim. For hypertension, the Veteran seeks a higher disability rating, but the current evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal of service connection for hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for leukemia, myeloma, diabetes mellitus, gall bladder condition, joint pain, gout, heart problems, hypertension, pressure hives, and skin cancer are remanded due to the Veteran's request to withdraw the issue of service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.,The cause of the Veteran's death, hepatocellular carcinoma, is also granted as service-connected because it was caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C, both linked to the Veteran's PTSD and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the heart disease claim is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for clarification regarding etiology. The hypertension, stroke residuals, and peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The left knee scars are rated at 10 percent, right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and the Veteran was granted new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection of various conditions including PTSD, depressive disorder, sleep apnea, gastritis, GERD, and others.

The Veteran's headaches and hypertension are granted as secondary to his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder (OTSRD). The rating for OTSRD is set at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and high blood pressure have been reopened, but denied. The claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not reopened.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss or high blood pressure.

The Veteran's asthma, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all rated at their current levels. The Board found no evidence to support increased ratings for any of these conditions.

The Veteran died from asphyxia due to drowning, which the Board found was not caused by any incident of service. There is no evidence that any conditions involved in his death were incurred or aggravated by service.

The appeal as to PTSD is dismissed. Service connection for dry eye syndrome, secondary to service-connected bilateral pinguecula, is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a left eye corneal scar is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded. The claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of cholecystectomy is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and CVA, finding no evidence of a direct link to service or secondary to diabetes. The Veteran's PTSD claim was also denied as there were no in-service stressors verified.,Service connection was not granted for any condition due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor related to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand several claims related to the Veteran's exposure to mustard gas, herbicide agents, and/or other chemicals and/or toxins. The claims for prostate cancer, respiratory disorder (COPD), sleep apnea, hypertension, sinusitis, nerve condition, and headaches are being reviewed due to possible exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and request records from his assigned unit to determine if he was exposed to herbicides. If verified, the claims will be considered under the presumptive provisions for diabetes mellitus type II and VA examinations will be scheduled to assess the relationship between the conditions and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vasculitis, hypertension, and gastrointestinal conditions have been denied. A rating of 70 percent has been granted for bilateral hearing loss effective October 15, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not reasonably foreseeable and grants DIC benefits under Section 1151 of the U.S. Code.

The Veteran's low back disability, hypertension, and gout have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now receiving a 10 percent rating for his hypertension throughout the appeal period.