Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination. The claims for increased ratings of chronic headaches, relapse fever/night sweats, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, residual scars (due to removal of swollen lymph nodes), multiple joint pain, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and blurred vision and twitching of the left eye are also being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension, which has required continuous medication for control since the date of service connection, is granted an initial 10 percent disability evaluation.

Service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension (HTN) has been granted. The Veteran's radial neuropathy of the right wrist is now rated with an effective date prior to May 12, 2011.,The rating in excess of 30 percent for the right shoulder disability and the rating in excess of 10 percent for the right wrist disability are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign hypertrophy of the prostate, hypertension as a result of exposure to herbicides, and sleep apnea due to issues with the adequacy of opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for nephropathy with hypertension, degenerative changes, low back, and diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his heart disability and chest scar, finding that there was no medical evidence between August 8, 2015 and August 8, 2016 making it factually ascertainable that his conditions were at least 100% and 30% disabling respectively.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee condition due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability related to the Veteran's service.,Service connection is remanded for hypertension and gastrointestinal conditions as there is insufficient competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is reopened, and the issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy (bilateral upper extremities), right lower extremity, left lower extremity are all remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, both of which are presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

Service connection granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination to determine its relationship to service-connected conditions or in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is remanded for further examination to determine its relationship to service-connected conditions or in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for PTSD, hypertension and tinnitus, high cholesterol, bilateral eye disability, erectile dysfunction, residuals of a back injury, vertigo, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss. The effective dates for the awards have not been determined.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The left and right knee conditions are related to his in-service injuries, as is the lumbosacral strain (back pain). Diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were not found to be due to herbicide exposure or Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and for further medical opinions regarding service connection for the cause of death, myelodysplasia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, thumb, foot, ankle and aorta disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine. The issues are related to whether these disabilities are manifestations or complications of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings have never predominantly shown diastolic pressure at 100 or more, and thus do not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under DC 7101.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, which may be related to service-connected PTSD and/or herbicide exposure. The AOJ is required to obtain an expert opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tension headaches and hypertension due to incomplete records, need for a new examination, and further development of evidence from SSA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral glaucoma with retinal vascular occlusion, presbyopia and post-operative cataracts, atrioventricular (A-V) block, hypertension, and post-surgical scar from removal of pilonidal cyst, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control, is granted a 10 percent rating. The evidence does not support higher ratings as there are no diastolic pressures predominantly 110 or more and no systolic pressures predominantly 200 or more.