Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's high cholesterol was not found to be a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and feet were not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or within one year of separation, nor are they causally related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for hypertension and right eye disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted. His coronary artery disease, with hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, is rated at 30 percent effective August 31, 2010. A separate compensable rating for his hypertension is denied. The award of service connection for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is granted, but a separate initial rating prior to December 11, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity is denied. A compensable initial rating for diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity is also denied.

The Veteran's scleroderma and related conditions are granted service connection.,The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis are also granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine was denied due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current condition and military service. The claim for PTSD has been reopened, but not granted as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.,The Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, tinea pedis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were all denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's death was caused by poorly differentiated bladder carcinoma, but there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and left foot residuals due to a gunshot wound. A new VA opinion is needed regarding whether his congestive heart failure qualifies as ischemic heart disease, and whether his hypertension may be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to coronary artery disease was granted on a presumptive basis based on exposure to Agent Orange. The effective date is set at March 20, 2015, with the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of an IHD during his period of active duty.,His diabetes mellitus, type II, was rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to its current management and lack of complications requiring hospitalization or special dietary needs.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and the need for medical opinions. The appellant's claim is also pending as service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, back disability, bilateral knee disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder, and thyroid disability. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its onset and relationship to her service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and medications.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back pain, DMII, blurred vision secondary to DMII, hypertension secondary to DMII, erectile dysfunction secondary to DMII, nocturia secondary to DMII, and migraines. The right ankle disability was also denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorder (acid reflux), erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.,There is insufficient evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED for further development. This includes obtaining any outstanding VA and/or private medical records and associating them with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and chronic kidney disease, finding that additional assistance is needed to determine if his conditions are related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The kidney disease claim is also intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date than January 26, 2017 for the award of increased DIC based on her need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The evidence did not show that she required such assistance prior to January 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hypertension, and tinnitus, as well as the rating of service-connected PTSD and tinnitus. The special monthly compensation claim based on loss of use of a creative organ is also being remanded.