Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and increased rating claims due to new evidence received after previous decisions. The Veteran is entitled to a compensable rating for hypertension, but additional development is needed as no SOC was issued regarding this issue. He also needs an examination to determine the current severity of his hypertension. Other issues are remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates. The specific issues include bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, increased ratings for coronary artery disease, and effective dates for erectile dysfunction and SMC.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hypertension, a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle disability, or a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome. However, a 10 percent rating was granted for left knee degenerative joint disease effective January 7, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychological disorders examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to service or her right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right knee disability, left ankle injury residuals, and herpes zoster due to potential service connection. Further development is needed including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, Grave's disease, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), history of C-section, and costochondritis. The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic conjunctivitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for hypertension and its relationship to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding secondary service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with additional evidence and an expert opinion is needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for stroke disability, high blood pressure, headache disability, and defective vision of the right eye. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The effective date for the award of service connection for right eye central serous chorioretinopathy is set at February 3, 2017. The Veteran's initial compensable rating and higher ratings for his psychiatric disability are remanded due to lack of evidence prior to February 3, 2017. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death, as well as incomplete income information. The claims for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and survivor pension benefits are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions, including pain, as well as prostate cancer are granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension and sleep disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a rating of at least 70 percent, meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran can secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome was improper, and her 30 percent rating is restored. The appeals for reopening claims related to vision problems, hypertension, COPD, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are granted.

The Veteran is entitled to the maximum Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) benefits due to his discharge from active duty due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and shortness of breath. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claims for increased ratings for DMII and hypertension are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. A TDIU is granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from November 12, 2016. The Veteran's depression disability with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent since March 2, 2017 and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia has been withdrawn and dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a skin condition due to herbicide exposure and hypertension, both presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure during service.