Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right foot, knee, back, stomach, and psychiatric conditions. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for hypertension. The appellant is seeking service connection for hypertension, which she contends was caused or contributed to by herbicide exposure and/or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The reduction in rating for diabetes mellitus from 40 to 20 percent, effective January 1, 2018, was proper. Service connection has been established for PTSD, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral neuropathies of the sciatic and femoral nerves, prostate cancer residuals, right knee disability, left knee disability, and service-connected conditions that have not resulted in a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include obstructive sleep apnea, back condition, left foot condition, right foot condition, and high blood pressure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected hypertension was denied as the evidence did not show a history of diastolic blood pressure predominantly over 100 or systolic pressure predominantly over 160.

The Veteran's nephropathy with hypertension was granted an 80% rating effective June 25, 2015. He is also entitled to a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate since that date.,Prior to June 25, 2015, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher than 60% rating. From June 25, 2015 onwards, he is rated at 80%. He also received TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension and chronic kidney disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU from July 2, 2007 to August 19, 2010 due to his marginal employment and lack of physical or mental limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, as secondary to medication taken for a service-connected bilateral knee disability due to inadequate opinions provided in previous VA examinations. The case is returned for further development and clarification.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which she contends is caused by or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran’s statements and data in her notice of disagreement and VA Form 9.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for endometriosis, contending that it developed due to infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea during service, including a septic abortion and dilation and curettage (D&C). The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not address the evidence of record establishing that since 1985 the Veteran has used alcohol to self-medicate her acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, inguinal hernia, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected chronic kidney disease are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A separate rating for hypertension is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, cervical spine disability, and migraine headaches due to incomplete verification of his Reserve service records. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss.,Service connection for hypertension, a right ankle disorder, and residuals of hernia is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension, finding no clear and unmistakable error in a previous denial due to lack of evidence of hypertension during service or at any time within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 50% effective January 31, 2011. Other service-connected conditions were not granted increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (due to herbicide exposure), tinnitus, heart disability, hypertension, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, psychiatric disorder, vision loss, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is granted only in relation to the reopening of the claim for diabetes mellitus type II.