Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, gastroesophageal disability (including GERD and Barrett's esophagus), heart disability other than CAD (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation), and erectile dysfunction are all granted. However, due to insufficient evidence, several issues related to these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient findings and opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it existed prior to service or was aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. An effective date earlier than February 17, 2010 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied. Service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran will be provided an addendum opinion regarding his hypertension and its relationship to presumed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a lumbosacral spine disability, hypertension, and a cardiac disability. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not related to active service.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected conditions or any other condition caused or contributed to his death. The VA examiner found the esophageal cancer less likely related to herbicide exposure, and the CAD and hypertension were not considered contributory causes.

The Veteran's hypertension and hemorrhoids are currently rated as 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that an increased rating is not warranted.,Regarding service connection for eye disability, additional opinions are needed to address the Veteran’s in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension was present during his service and is now remanding the case to determine if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not directly related to active service and herbicide exposure during his time in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, hepatitis C, bilateral pes planus, and a residual kidney disability, status post left kidney removal. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, with hypertension being linked to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Erectile dysfunction is also found to be related to the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied. The Board has reopened the claim due to new evidence, but it remains denied as there is no evidence that his hypertension is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for PTSD is remanded due to lack of specific details regarding an alleged sexual assault and discriminatory treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney condition, nocturia, and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The remand is due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's exposure to Vietnam during TDY assignments.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there is no verified stressor related to service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and continuity of symptomatology has not been established.,The Veteran's hyperlipidemia (claimed as cholesterol) claim is denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA compensation benefits.,The Veteran's tinnitus rating claim is remanded as the current schedular maximum rating has already been assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently not considered related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, including as secondary to sleep apnea. The reasons include inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and the need for further development.

The Veteran's left hand fracture and right ankle fracture are rated appropriately. The service connection for bilateral flat feet, hypertension, and TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is rated at 100% effective December 13, 2016. The Board also granted special monthly compensation based on housebound status from July 20, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension are granted with ratings of 30% for PTSD from September 9, 2011 to April 8, 2015, and 50% for hypertension since April 9, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability and could not be presumed to have been incurred in service.