Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, sleep disorder, and hypertension due to new evidence. However, it denied reopening of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as well as service connection for headaches, diabetes mellitus, COPD, and chronic kidney disease.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2, and granted initial ratings of 20 percent for diabetic polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left rotator cuff injury, right rotator cuff injury, hypertension, cirrhosis of the liver, renal cysts and drug abuse have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim for PTSD and hypertension are both denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for a left ankle disability. Service connection was granted for hypertension due to the persistence of elevated blood pressure during service, despite an initial diagnosis after discharge. The denial of service connection for the left ankle disability is based on the lack of evidence linking current pain to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the cases, and his conditions are not currently diagnosed or related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied, with the effective date being October 11, 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for hypertension as secondary to her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence presented is in equipoise, with a positive nexus opinion from Dr. P., who opined that the Veteran’s hypertension was more likely than not caused by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Service connection was denied for hypertension, headache disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits determinations, and an addendum opinion on the etiology of her left thumb disability. The effective date issue is also being addressed.

The Board denied a compensable rating for hypertension as the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as incurred in service. The issue of an initial rating for PTSD and the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of pneumonia, hypertension, left knee surgical scars, migraine headaches, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is also remanded for further evaluation on his left knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since August 18, 2018. Service connection for a low back disorder and hypertension has been reopened but denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephrolithiasis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic nephrolithiasis is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis in the record.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to outstanding VA records from his wife and need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma, evaluated as 20 percent disabling is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 13, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy for the right upper extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy for the left upper extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded as there are outstanding records from his wife and need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder associated with residuals of prostate adenocarcinoma is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of recent hospitalization records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded as there are no current audiometric findings in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension (high blood pressure) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his medication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and liver disorder due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. For hypertension, the examiner is asked to consider the Veteran’s Reserve service exposure to herbicide agents. For liver disorder, an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether it is secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to outstanding service treatment records, need for VA examinations, and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and sleep apnea have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The appeal of service connection for malaise and fatigue, independent of service-connected CAD, is denied.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied.