Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for gall bladder disorder, bladder disorder, erectile dysfunction, and kidney disorder have not been reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for headaches, high blood pressure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development of his service records and need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, kidney condition, impotence, brain tumor, umbilical hernia, and TDIU. The AOJ is instructed to complete necessary development such as obtaining retirement disability records from OPM, providing statutory and regulatory notice regarding entitlement to TDIU, and obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of erectile dysfunction and kidney conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral edema of the left and right lower extremities, impotency, and diabetes mellitus has been dismissed.,PTSD was granted with a TDIU effective prior to July 7, 2017.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disorder is also denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected somatic symptoms disorder is manifested by, at worst, complaints of anxiety, depression, occasional nightmares, panic attacks more than once a week, a flattened affect, and disturbances of motivation & mood. The Veteran's hypertension remains undiagnosed due to lack of examination. The appeal for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent. The issue of service connection for hypertension, which was denied in February 2017, is being remanded due to the Veteran not receiving the decision.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his military service or a service-connected disability, and he did not have qualifying service for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and service, particularly in relation to ischemic heart disease and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions and new claims. The Board has determined that a DRO hearing is necessary for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions provided by the VA examiners. The issues include bilateral shoulder disability, right hand joint pain, bilateral elbow and knee pain, cervical spine disability, renal cell carcinoma, neuropathy of lower extremities, osteoarthritis of left hand ring finger, hypertension, hiatal hernia with GERD, atopic dermatitis, migraine headaches, and bilateral condylar flattening indicative of degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hypertension was denied. For the period of May 1, 2009 to February 27, 2018, his claim for an increased rating for migraines was also denied. Beginning February 27, 2018, but no earlier, he is granted a 30 percent evaluation for migraines.,The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as his systolic blood pressure readings were predominantly under 160 and diastolic pressure was predominantly under 100. His migraines resulted in attacks less frequent than once per month, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, otitis media of the left ear, cholera, tuberculosis, hypertension, dysentery, kidney disability, a disability manifested by blood occult in the urine, an acquired psychiatric disability (including general anxiety disorder), and PTSD. The reopening is based on new evidence suggesting Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Veteran's ED is caused by his service-connected PTSD and hypertension, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to presumed Agent Orange exposure and supported by sufficient scientific evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and migraines on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected depression.

The Veteran's claims for sleep disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders, left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability or service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted a 10% rating effective from April 11, 2016. Prior to that date, the condition did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and depression. The claims are now remanded to allow for a VA examination regarding cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, depression, and TIA.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.