Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has found the July 8, 2017 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) timely and remanded several issues related to service-connected disabilities including TDIU, DEA benefits, right total knee replacement rating, hypertension rating, right knee scar rating, left knee scar ratings, and SMC.

The Veteran is granted an initial 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) with valvular heart disease, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected CAD is granted.,Service connection for hypertensive heart disease (HHD) secondary to service-connected hypertension is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cardiac condition, including aortic insufficiency, tricuspid insufficiency and atrial fibrillation. The examiner is to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and a skin disability due to inadequate addendum VA medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional information about his medical providers and outstanding records, and new addendum VA medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of his skin disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, chest pains, proteinuria, and inactive fatigue have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for left leg radiculopathy has been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his heart condition prior to December 17, 2019 is denied. A rating of 60 percent is granted as of December 17, 2019.,A remand is ordered due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and service or herbicide exposure, and whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection related to cramping in arms and legs, hypertension (to include due to service-connected conditions), degenerative disc disease, sciatic of the left lower extremity, and gout are remanded as insufficient medical opinions were provided regarding these issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities has been granted but does not warrant an increased rating as it is currently evaluated based on mild to moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of the increased rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating prior to February 17, 2016.,Service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension were both denied as there is no probative evidence showing these conditions existed before or during service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further development regarding the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as it is caused by his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied because it is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is granted a 100% rating from November 1, 2015, through January 27, 2016.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The claims for elbow, hip, and knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently evaluated as noncompensable, but a rating of 10 percent has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and visual problems due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's hypertension is associated with Agent Orange exposure, but the examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether it was related to service. Visual problems are also linked to hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, COPD, and a bilateral elbow disability due to presumed herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to service-connected PTSD and/or residuals of a right wrist laceration. The Veteran's current symptomatology is being evaluated in light of his service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives and requires corrective action. The case is being returned for further development, including the provision of an addendum medical advisory opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure, left leg disability (including left knee disability), and PTSD. The Veteran's high blood pressure was not shown to have started in service or within one year of service discharge. Service treatment records did not show ongoing symptoms of hypertension during service. For the left leg disability, there is no evidence showing an injury or disease in service that caused current symptomology. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a stressor from service.,The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure and left leg disability (including left knee disability). There was no indication of hypertension during service, nor were there any symptoms noted post-service until 2008. For the left leg disability, the Veteran did not provide evidence showing an injury or disease in service that caused current symptomology.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.