Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted effective dates of January 16, 2013 for the grants of service connection and evaluations for hypertension, right ankle sprain, right rotator cuff tear, and lumbosacral strain. The claim for PTSD remains denied as there is no evidence showing it existed prior to December 19, 2013.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a left shoulder condition, and arthritis. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis have been granted service connection. The initial ratings for PTSD, post-concussive migraines, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis are remanded.,A new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions and his lumbar spondylosis. The Veteran may also need a VR&E evaluation.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to metastatic renal cancer, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), and hypertension. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and that his DM was related to this exposure. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically panic disorder and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches and tinnitus. His migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective August 8, 2014. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea, back condition, left foot condition, right foot condition, and high blood pressure are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of various extremities and psychiatric conditions. The claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disorder and hypertension are denied. The Veteran's PTSD rating is remanded.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The effective date for these determinations is January 14, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 19, 2011 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence showed that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his back and heart conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for eye disability, left hand neuropathy, right hand neuropathy, hypertension, and kidney disability. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that these conditions are related to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's hypertension, which was present during his honorable period of service from March 1, 1974 to March 2, 1979, contributed substantially or materially to death and caused or aggravated his fatal heart and lung diseases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, effective May 28, 2014. The other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia received an initial disability rating of 70 percent.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left knee, and right knee.,Service connection is denied for hypertension and thyroid disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left quadriceps tear, left Achilles tendon, and TMJ. The application to reopen the claim of hypertension is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The application to reopen the claim of sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension and residuals of stroke have been granted. The effective date for service connection is set at August 9, 2017. A rating in excess of 60 percent for CABG prior to October 14, 2015 has been denied. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of heart disease, hypertension, and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if hypertension is related to service-connected coronary artery disease or PTSD, and whether an initial rating in excess of 30 percent should be granted for PTSD.