Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death prevented the appellant from being substituted as claimant, and thus his appeal for substitution was denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for dyslipidemia, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD), and service connection for hypertension due to unclear examination reports and unassociated private cardiology treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis in service or post-service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence establishing the condition was incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the right ear evaluated at level IV and the left ear at level II.,For hypertension associated with residuals of renal cell carcinoma, a separate rating of 10 percent has been granted since October 18, 2012.

The Veteran's pulmonary hypertension and kidney disease are granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor were they severe enough to cause him to be housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right biceps tendon rupture, and hypertension, do not render him unemployable as he has worked part-time for many years.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, gout, hypertension, and a right scrotum knot as there was no evidence showing these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the amputation of the Veteran's left leg was not caused by VA treatment and did not result from an unforeseeable event. The evidence showed that conservative treatments were effective until a late infection developed, leading to the need for an amputation.

The Board has vacated its previous decisions denying service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to a lack of consideration of VA treatment records. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and hypertension have been granted service connection. The hypertension secondary to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for hypertension and tinnitus service connection. The decision on hypertension could impact the tinnitus case, so both are being reviewed together.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically related to exposure at Camp LeJeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The restoration of a 30 percent rating for disfiguring chin and lip scars effective April 29, 2016 has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, tinnitus, dental disability, memory loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding exposure to jet fuel in service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for left leg varicose veins since August 11, 2015. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination.