Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand disability, right ankle disability, and hypertension. The Board also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 for rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of evidence showing VA negligence in treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hypertension, vascular disease, and heart condition for further examination and opinion as there is uncertainty about their relationship to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his right knee disorder and other conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the knees were remanded for further evaluation as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for adult polycystic kidney disease and hypertension, as secondary to PTSD and/or a polycystic kidney disease due to inadequate VA examinations in May 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s hypertension to service, and determined that he could perform sedentary employment despite his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since September 24, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for any time during the appeal period.,The Veteran’s eye problems, left knee disorder, hypertension, and stomach problems (GERD and chronic diarrhea) are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, arthritis in all joints, and heart condition due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service-connected conditions and if so, what appropriate ratings should be assigned.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities need further review as additional evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder), and hypertension has been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of these claims. Service connection is granted for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma and stressor related disorder). However, service connection for hypertension cannot be established as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity atherosclerosis of the distal vessels is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for colon cancer was dismissed. The appeal of hypertension and back disability issues is stayed pending the effective date of a new law.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for prolapsed hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity disorder (claimed as restless leg syndrome), sleep apnea, and hypertension due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy of both eyes (claimed as blurry vision), erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and C-6 radiculopathy of the upper extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that symptoms of hypertension were chronic during service and continuous since separation from service. The criteria to establish presumptive service connection are met.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, and thyroid disability. The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity as it is not considered a recognized chronic disease.