Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted an effective date of February 4, 1983 for the grant of service connection for hypertension. This decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran had hypertension in service and his informal claim was filed within one year of separation.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various issues due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no in-service event or continuous symptomatology related to the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability within VA standards.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, osteoarthritis impacting multiple joints, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further evaluation.,Further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service and no competent medical opinion linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,Service connection for heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, numbness of the left fingers, numbness of the right fingers, a left foot condition, a right foot condition, and numbness on the right side (described as right leg numbness) are remanded.,Service connection for teeth loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) is remanded.,Service connection for low testosterone is remanded.,Service connection for a right knee disability (claimed as a weak right knee), a low back disability (claimed as low back stiffness), and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, skin condition, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity are remanded due to unclear etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied in April 2006, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. Service connection for diabetes with a 20% disability rating is granted effective August 22, 2014.,Service connection for onychomycosis remains denied as there is no more than topical therapy required over the past year.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension, finding that the April 1958 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has also remanded the cases for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service, including any in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran is requested to provide updated medical records and a VA examination to determine if there is a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for chronic kidney disease with edema and hypertension, so the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, as it requires continuous medication for control.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes and has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran also has been awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. However, several other claims have been remanded as there are outstanding records needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, hemorrhoids, and left knee disability were denied because he failed to appear at the scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran was awarded special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including hypertensive cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, malaria, and hearing loss. The Board found that he required assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of the appellant's assertion that the Veteran had a heart attack during National Guard training. The claim will be reconsidered with an additional medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a heart disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim of hypertension is denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The claims of OSA, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, left hand and right hand disabilities, and left knee disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year after discharge. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have high blood pressure at his separation examination and that there is no evidence of treatment or diagnosis of hypertension in service.