Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease, both secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

Service connection for hypertension was denied.,The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion and instability were not granted increased ratings, but a 10% rating was granted prior to February 24, 2015, and a 20% rating from February 24, 2015 through April 17, 2016.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome was granted a 40% rating prior to April 18, 2016 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. ,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were not granted increased ratings.,Service connection for ankylosing spondylosis and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted, but denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been granted service connection. The claims for vision disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded as they may be related to the diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service complaints and symptoms. The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, concluding that there was no evidence of a superimposed psychiatric disability during service.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as secondary to an acquired psychiatric condition due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, and the case is remanded. The claim for service connection for hypertension is also remanded due to its inextricability from the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or any other condition. The examiner will need to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety are granted service connection, as is his tachycardia secondary to the adjustment disorder. However, hypertension is denied as secondary to the adjustment disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or a service-connected disease or injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS is granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective from the date of the examination. The claims for hypertension and fatigue are denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and headaches as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's nasal fracture and hypertension are not service-connected, but a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected nasal fracture. The Board found that the residuals of the nasal fracture do not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a spleen disability. Service connection was granted for sarcoidosis, hypertension, depressive disorder, pituitary gland tumor, diabetes insipidus, fatigue disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Prior to January 23, 2012, the Veteran was granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a right fifth finger injury with slight hypoalgesia, chronic back disability, hypertension, diverticulitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal polyps, gastrointestinal hemorrhoids, constipation, enlarged prostate, urinary retention, anemia, and high cholesterol due to missing VA records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the requisite schedular percentages for entitlement to a TDIU prior to June 5, 2015. The evidence does not demonstrate that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's shoulder disability and hypertension are being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the condition did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board also denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of a link between the condition and in-service exposure or service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not considered directly related to his service-connected PTSD, and his hypertension is not linked to herbicide exposure or any other service-connected disability.