Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a single service-connected disability rated as total and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current sinusitis, sciatic nerve disabilities, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, or erectile dysfunction are related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, hypertension, and prostate problems due to service exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner is requested to provide opinions on the nature and origin of these conditions, assuming herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his reported exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating from March 25, 2014. Prior to that date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and various knee and foot conditions, effectively preclude him from all forms of substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's coronary artery disease, hypertension, and osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and skin cancer, finding no evidence to support the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, variously diagnosed as hypertension, congestive heart failure, supraventricular arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and implanted automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD), attributing it to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and a right leg condition due to incomplete development, including missing service treatment records and cancelled VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's portal vein hypertension with esophageal and stomach varices and hematemesis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and rated at 10%.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection on secondary basis and rated at 10%.,The Veteran’s degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with myofascial pain syndrome of the thoracic spine is granted a rating of 40% prior to May 24, 2019 and thereafter.,The Veteran's chronic neck strain is granted a rating of 20%.,The Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a rating of 20%.,The Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a rating of 20%.,The Veteran’s left leg shin splints are denied.,The Veteran’s right leg shin splints are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis within one year of discharge and that the current condition is not related to her active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his active service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for testicular pain as a residual of vasectomy is granted. The Veteran's hypertension claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to Agent Orange. However, the claim for peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for neck disability, hypertension, and thoracolumbar spine disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for metatarsalgia.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.,The Veteran's hypertension has been granted a 10 percent rating.