Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension and hemorrhoids have been rated appropriately. The Board has found that the Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum allowable rating for his hemorrhoids.,The Veteran’s left ankle disability, hydrocele, recurrent kidney stones, sleep apnea, COPD, and PTSD are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to knee braces, a manual wheelchair, diabetic shoes and inserts, and topical medication were denied. The decision grants payment of a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces used due to service-connected disabilities that wore out his clothing in 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's left popliteal arterial thrombosis, which led to his amputation, was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for a kidney condition, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, lung condition, PTSD, and higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected mechanical low back pain and major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to contaminated groundwater while stationed at Fort Lewis, which could have contributed to his death. The case is being remanded for further investigation.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a combined 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The cases are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for patchy hypopigmentation is denied as the condition did not begin during service and is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 4, 2017 at KFHP are approved for continued non-emergency treatment. The issue of reimbursement or payment for services rendered on May 9, 2017 is remanded due to lack of private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, tension headaches, and hypertension as due to a bilateral knee disability. The effective date for the increased rating of 100 percent for right ear hearing loss is set at January 22, 2019.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart condition are not related to service, with the exception of a possible familial connection for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.,Service connection is denied for hypertension due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The heart condition remains under review.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension was denied a compensable initial rating for the period prior to February 13, 2018 and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. The appeal is limited to these specific issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, effective dates, and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development or clarification of certain issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service, except for PTSD with MDD which was granted effective July 2, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left-foot conditions, as well as his hypertension, have been denied due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney disease have been granted. The claim for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded, as well as the claim for gastrointestinal disorder (acid reflux).,Service connection has been established for hypertension on a direct basis. Service connection for kidney disease secondary to hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are pending further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. However, the issue of whether service connection is warranted remains pending as it was remanded.