Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete Service Treatment Records (STRs). The AOJ must attempt to obtain and review all available STRs, including those from June 2015.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, as the National Academy of Sciences recently upgraded its classification of hypertension from 'limited or suggestive' to 'sufficient' evidence of association with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claims for hypertension, PTSD, pulmonary disorder, and insomnia has been granted. The claims for hypertension and PTSD are reopened due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. However, the claims for PTSD and insomnia remain denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hyperlipidemia. The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and dermatophytosis (tinea) are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there is no current disability or evidence of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension was denied because the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Board also found that there is no reasonable doubt against granting service connection for peripheral neuropathy bilateral legs secondary to diabetes, but since the Veteran's diabetes is not service-connected, this condition cannot be service-connected as secondary to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart condition is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease and his TDIU claim due to pending development.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, left knee disorder, sleep disorder, aortic aneurysm, and hypertension have been granted service connection based on the presumption of chronicity for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for glaucoma, hypertension, prostate condition, and PTSD. Additional development is needed due to internal contradictions in the examination reports and insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, specifically gout, bilateral knee disabilities, sleep condition, and hypertension. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have started during or shortly after his military service.

The claims of increased ratings for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further agency action, including determining whether the appellant wishes to proceed as a substitute claimant or for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary hypertension was denied in November 2008, but new and material evidence was received after the one-year deadline. The claim is reopened.,Service connection for hypertension was granted secondary to diabetes mellitus II (DM II), effective January 10, 2017.,Service connection for ED was granted secondary to DM II, effective March 5, 2012. SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is also effective from this date.,SMC based on housebound criteria was not granted earlier than January 10, 2017 due to the Veteran's disability status at that time.,Service connection for prostate cancer or prostate disability has not been established by evidence in the record.,Left ear hearing loss is rated as level IV.,Tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent since August 20, 2007.,CAD was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to January 10, 2017 due to its severity and other service-connected conditions.,Hypertension is treated with medication but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,ED remains rated at 30 percent since March 5, 2012.,Psychiatric disorder continues to be rated as having occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability.

The Veteran's migraine disability was denied for a higher rating before November 19, 2013. From that date until May 11, 2015, the Veteran received a maximum (50%) rating for his migraine disability under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran's hypertension was granted a 10% rating effective from May 11, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and conflicting evidence in some cases. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's back and hip disability, as well as his hypertension, were granted service connection based on evidence showing they began during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, left shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, right shoulder rotator cuff disorder, and hypertension has been reopened. Service connection is granted for left shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals and denied for right shoulder rotator cuff disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was dismissed. The claims of reopening previously denied bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the latter being on an aggravation basis.,The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of hypertension during service, and for a determination on whether numbness in both hands is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its aggravation or causation.