Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as the appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran withdrew these appeals prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that the Veteran’s blood pressure readings predominantly met the criteria for a higher rating, nor did it reflect occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to PTSD symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or lack of examination.

Service connection for a low back disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, cardiovascular (CV) disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened and is now considered for service connection. The Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sense of smell, taste, sinusitis, hypertension, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions until after separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and sleep disturbance. The Veteran served in Southwest Asia (SWA) during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right eye residuals is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess current visual impairment and whether there is any degree of anisocoria in his right eye.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 70 percent from August 15, 2011 meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support entitlement to a TDIU rating due to the cumulative functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, but denied reopening of his claim for a skin disability.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential aggravation by service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease as secondary to hypertension, and impotency as secondary to hypertension have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for hypertension but denied for chronic kidney disease and impotency.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's cataracts are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and whether his hypertension is due to herbicide exposure or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied because it is not a recognized disability. The Board grants service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence supports a link to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating prior to October 24, 2012. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for high blood pressure is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for cluster headaches is granted.,An effective date prior to September 27, 2012 for the award of service connection for depressive disorder is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction due to in-service herbicide exposure, as well as his claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from medication prescribed for hypertension.