Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for ureterolithiasis, right shin splints, hypertension, renal cyst, thoracolumbar strain/sprain with scoliosis, chondromalacia patella, status post right knee ACL surgery, and headache syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his hypertension starting from August 2, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee arthritis, a foot disability (plantar fibromatosis), and lower spine arthritis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for acne, bilateral hearing loss, or GERD at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, along with right and left upper extremity radiculopathy. High cholesterol or hyperlipidemia is denied due to it being a mere laboratory finding. Service connection for hypertension and residuals of stroke are also granted, but the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for these grants remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination regarding service connection for hypertension, including due to Agent Orange exposure and secondary to PTSD and/or coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and asthma due to inadequate opinions based on lack of evidence supporting asbestos exposure. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance prior to January 12, 2010 due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him helpless enough to require regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's hematuria and hypertension are rated at a minimum compensable level of 10 percent under Diagnostic Codes 7502 and 7101, respectively. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his hematuria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues include undiagnosed illness, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment (claimed as blindness), sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of whether extraschedular considerations should be applied.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there was no onset in service or within one year of separation.,Service connection for thyroid cancer is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, rhinitis, and hypertension. The claim for residuals of a left knee injury is granted.,Service connection is established for right shoulder sprain with limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder) have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service.,The Veteran's claims for right knee disability, right ankle disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (left foot), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (right foot), gout right foot, and gout left foot were also denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as there was no diagnosis of the condition throughout the claim period.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims, including service connection for various conditions, are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension has been dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD exacerbated his cardiovascular conditions, contributing to his cause of death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's vocal cord disability and kidney disease are denied as not related to service or secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.,Service connection for COPD, erectile dysfunction, and hypothyroidism is denied as these conditions did not begin during service or are not related to a service-connected condition.,Coronary artery disease is rated at 30% from September 11, 2001 to August 7, 2002, 60% from December 1, 2002 to May 24, 2004, and 30% thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD rating is denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,The effective date for service connection of mycosis fungoides was denied.