Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, low back arthritis, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and hypertension have been denied.

The Veteran died of vascular disease, which the Board found was not caused by his military service.,He had hypertension that pre-service and did not develop during service or due to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as there were no findings supporting more severe symptoms.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied because it was not shown to be related to service, and there is no evidence of continuous symptomatology since service.,Service connection for prostatitis was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and the absence of continuity of symptomatology after service.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury was denied as there was no current diagnosis of TBI or its residuals.,Service connection for hypertension was denied because it was not shown to be related to service, and there is no evidence of continuous symptomatology since service.,Service connection for myopia was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and the absence of continuity of symptomatology after service.,Service connection for OSA was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a current diagnosis related to service.,Service connection for HIV was denied because it was not shown to be related to service, and there is no evidence of continuous symptomatology since service.,Service connection for gout was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and the absence of continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, a new examination is required for his left ankle disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), joint pain in upper extremities, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted. The extension of a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence for his service-connected left knee disability beyond May 31, 2015, is denied. Entitlement to increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or caused by his military service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's resistant hypertension, a primary cause of his death, is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and low back injury due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.,For hypertension, the Board found that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between service and the condition. The claim will be remanded again for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, sinus disorder, respiratory disorder, hypertension, and right ear hearing loss. The decision also noted that the Veteran's migraines were rated as 70% prior to July 13, 2016, and 30% since then.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for hypertension, essential tremors, and a cervical spine disability as the Veteran did not file an appeal within the required time frame.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is denied as not related to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for warts of the right elbow, left elbow, left shoulder, and right shoulder. The Veteran's warts are not considered to have begun during active service or be related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for bilateral open angle glaucoma and hypertension is also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded it for further development.

The Board denied service connection for congestive heart failure and hypertensive vascular disease (to include hypertension) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.,A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's depressive disorder.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current level of severity of any diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability.,The etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability need to be determined through a VA examination.,The etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability needs to be determined through a VA examination.,A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to service, with consideration given to weight gain as an intermediary factor.,An appropriate VA examination is required to assess the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow disability and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 17, 2013. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, thyroid disorder, and hypertension due to lack of clear medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claims are not currently granted as there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa was granted with a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of decision. The other claims were denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted due to very frequent and prolonged prostrating attacks.,For his right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating. The examination revealed limited range of motion with dorsiflexion being less than 15 degrees.