Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is not considered to have contributed to his cause of death, which was atherosclerotic hypertensive cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The Board found that the medical evidence does not support the claim that the depression worsened or caused the heart condition.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 12, 2016 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMP) based on aid and attendance due to the appellant's disability level being established by her September 2016 claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer was caused by exposure to harmful chemicals during service, and if his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral ear disability other than tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or connection to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD is granted, but his request for an effective date earlier than December 2, 2016, for a higher disability rating remains denied.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for various knee disorders are remanded and will be addressed by the RO in accordance with the instructions provided.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for hypertension is granted, but his request for an earlier effective date remains denied.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for various neurological conditions are remanded and will be addressed by the RO in accordance with the instructions provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, neck, and headache disabilities as well as hypertension. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart condition as secondary to hypertension, and a liver disability as secondary to hypertension. The Board found that the preexisting conditions existed prior to service and were not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and Peyronie's disease, both secondary to his service-connected GAD with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's causes of death are related to his service-connected residuals of a resolved left pneumothorax.

The claims for service connection for epilepsy, hypertension, prostate disability, fibromyalgia, and sleep disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, was granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension and residuals of a cerebral vascular accident were also granted, with the latter being secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his prostatitis, tinnitus, gout, sinusitis, hypertension, and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension, cervical spine disability (claimed as neck or upper-back disability), dizziness, and fatigue have been granted. The cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathies, have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hypertension claim is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there were no in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnoses related to the condition.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension secondary to PTSD was also denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began within one year post-service.,Bilateral knee degenerative joint disease was found not related to service based on a lack of in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnoses.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy due to potential new evidence, including a change in the category of hypertension from 'limited or suggestive' to 'sufficient' associated with herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain records from SSA, provide the Veteran with information about his previously denied claims, and schedule an examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues of bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.,Service connection for a left ventricular hypertrophy is granted, subject to further review.