Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has not fully addressed the issues of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his preexisting scleroderma was aggravated by service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to obtain relevant medical records and determine the appropriate disability ratings and service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to herbicide exposure, as there is evidence of service in Vietnam and VA treatment records showing hypertension. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, as well as housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's viral myocarditis and hypertension were not incurred in service, nor are they related to his active duty. The Board has denied these claims.,For the osteoarthritis claim, the Veteran is seeking service connection based on it being secondary to a service-connected left knee condition. This requires further development as no VA examination has been conducted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions on the etiology of hypertension, which may be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board found that the disabilities did not manifest within a presumptive period and were not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under DC 7101.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension and dementia are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to the former.,The cause of death due to dementia is also service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left shoulder disorders, ulcers, prostate disorder, hemoglobin disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cardiac disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, kidney disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, eye disorder, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case because the VA examiner's opinion was based on an outdated National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report. The new NAS update upgraded hypertension from 'limited or suggestive' to 'sufficient' evidence of association with herbicide agent exposure, and a new addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, prostate condition, hypertension, and stroke due to potential herbicide exposure in Korea. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for various conditions, and TDIU prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period prior to April 20, 2017, the Veteran's right elbow sprain was rated at 10 percent. After that date, he is rated as noncompensable. The claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned the maximum authorized schedular rating of 10 percent and remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's residuals of a stroke, hypertension, and joint pains. The claims are also being remanded due to service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, COPD, asthma condition, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. Other claims were remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and impotence are granted service connection. The remaining issues, including hypertension, eye condition, bilateral leg/knee disorder, sinus condition, and foot disorders, are remanded for further development.