Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder secondary to the service-connected diabetes, but denied service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's left elbow fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional loss and pain.,Service connection is granted for pes planus as it began during active service and was aggravated beyond its natural progression.,Service connection is denied for glaucoma as there is no evidence of visual impairment or incapacitating episodes related to the in-service eye trauma.,New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim for service connection for pulmonary hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further review.,The right corneal scar does not cause any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, thus no increased rating is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and obesity, finding that the conditions did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence of onset during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right elbow/shoulder conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to an incident with a plane in the early 1950s during service.

The Veteran's hypertension, asthma, right and left knee disabilities, and leg scars are not service-connected as they did not develop during or as a result of his military service.,Service connection for the Veteran’s claimed conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracic and lumbar spine from October 20, 1979 to September 18, 2006 is denied a rating higher than 10 percent.,Initial compensable ratings are required for hypertension, migraines, and erectile dysfunction.,The Veteran's knee disabilities require initial compensable ratings.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension has been denied as her blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for a right kidney tumor was denied because there is no evidence of a right kidney cyst during service, and the current right kidney cyst is considered separate from the left kidney cyst.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, including any conceded herbicide agent exposure or as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or heart disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with a previous remand directive, and an additional VA opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and spine/radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied, but service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is also granted for GERD, CAD, and ED secondary to DM II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and loss of balance due to issues with the examination and opinion provided. The AOJ is instructed to refer the issue of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability (or any other service-connected disability) for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has ordered remand for additional examination and opinion regarding the service connection of hypertension and nephrolithiasis, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, service-connected CAD, and/or service-connected DM.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service events.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral artery disease and remanded the issues of vision disorder and hypertension. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service, including diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus Type II. The Veteran's service aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga is being verified to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a disability rating of 60 percent for prostate cancer residuals is denied. The effective date remains September 24, 2018.

The Board has found that the claims for service connection for hypertension, hypothyroidism, and skin disorder must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The claim for an effective date earlier than February 17, 2017 for TDIU is also remanded as it may be affected by the other issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is granted a 100% rating effective December 11, 2009. The Veteran's hypertension and PFB are both rated at 10%. The appeal for increased ratings for these conditions is REMANDED.