Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal and gastric ulcers, chronic B-12 deficiency with liver enzyme disorder, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, schizoaffective mood disorder, bipolar type, and pain disorder due to psychological and general medical conditions), a skin disorder (recurring back cysts), fibromyalgia, hyperlipidemia, a neurological disorder (to include waist-down paralysis, seizures, blackouts, neuropathy, and Morton’s neuroma), arthritis, hypertension, a thyroglossal duct cyst, and T10-11 spinal osteophyte and degenerative disc disease with muscle pain spasm and lower back-leg weakness (thoracolumbar spine disorder).

The Veteran's hypertension, requiring continuous medication and with diastolic pressures in excess of 100, is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including tuberculosis and asbestosis, and hypertension. The Veteran's current respiratory disability is not supported by the evidence of record, and his hypertension was noted prior to active duty and did not increase during any period of service.

The Veteran's post-operative right inguinal hernia has not been shown to be recurrent. The most probative evidence of record reflects that for the period on appeal the Veteran has been shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is already in receipt of a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7802 for his residual, scar post-operative right inguinal hernia. A higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7802 is not warranted.,The Veteran's combined evaluation exceeded 40 percent from March 23, 2007, and he meets the schedular requirements for entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection as the Veteran withdrew his requests to appeal these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded several other issues for further development and consideration.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus from June 17, 2010. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as direct service connection and the issue of separate ratings for diabetic complications (eye conditions and hypertension) was not addressed.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as secondary to service-connected ulcerative colitis.,Service connection was also denied for headaches as secondary to service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's hypertension and stroke are service-connected, with the strokes being secondary to his service-connected hypertension.,The cause of death (large right middle cerebral artery distribution stroke and multiple earlier strokes) is also service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye disability, thyroid disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are not decided at this time.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), hypertension, and a left leg disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were predominantly below the thresholds specified in the Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, TBI residuals, and PTSD due to a lack of VA examinations. The cases are now pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), a low back disorder, tinnitus, a foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and hypertension. The reasons given were that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions, or evidence of in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to bilateral tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's PTSD may have caused temporary elevations in blood pressure, which can be considered as aggravation of his existing hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claim for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's hypertension and cervical spine disorder are denied as not related to service.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disability, bilateral knee impairment, bilateral hip condition, and sleep apnea is granted with reopening of the claims.

The Veteran's application for financial assistance for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation was denied because he does not meet the criteria under VA regulations, as his service-connected conditions do not qualify him for such benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and chest pain to include a heart condition due to potential issues with causation or aggravation by service-connected PTSD.