Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that more information is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, contributed to his death from sepsis due to a decubitus ulcer. The Board found that these disabilities rendered him materially less capable of resisting the effects of other causes of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's hypertension, which has required medication since at least August 2014, warrants a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, hypertension, male sterility, and a sleep disorder related to his depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's period of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, generalized osteoarthritis (OA), hypertension, and a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied. Obesity is not considered a compensable disability under VA laws and regulations.,Service connection for residuals of left knee prosthetic replacement with painful and limited range of motion is granted at 60 percent effective July 5, 2016.,A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee OA based on limitation of flexion is granted.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the hips, knees, and shoulders, hypertension, and double vision have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the claims file without a waiver of AOJ consideration and is requesting its review. The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current hypertension had its onset during service or is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pelvic disability, deviated septum, and tuberculosis have been dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of these claims during his November 2016 hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted based on new evidence showing a nexus to active service. The claim for gastrointestinal disorder (including gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, and fecal incontinence) has also been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including herpes, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ureterolithiasis, and penicillin, sulfa drug, iodine, and latex allergies. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension due to lack of a VA examination report. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for residuals of prostate cancer prior to July 5, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for aid and attendance or housebound benefits as her surviving spouse, finding that she is not in need of regular aid and assistance from another person due to her medical conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder, and headaches. The decision found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for hypertension. It also determined there was no current diagnosis or persistent symptoms of a skin disorder. Headaches were denied as well.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors. The claims will be reconsidered after multiple requests are made to verify these stressors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the service connection claims for back condition and hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hypertension, actinic and seborrheic keratoses and squamous cell carcinomas, status post removal, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a left leg disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to be caused or aggravated by her service-connected psychiatric disorder. Her left leg condition is not related to any injury in service. And her hypertension did not have its onset during service.,The Board also denied service connection for sleeplessness as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, insomnia with anger issues, sleep apnea, and gall bladder surgery has been denied. The claims for stiffness and slowness of movement and tremors (previously claimed as Parkinson’s disease) are remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claims have resulted in mixed decisions: some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was denied death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum annual pension rates set by law.