Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizoaffective disorder has been granted, effective from December 1, 2016. The Board also found that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder, leading to an award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's back disorder, gastritis, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all under review.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye injury, and dental condition due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was also denied for congestive heart failure, hypertension, kidney condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and PTSD) as the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, kidney stones, and enlarged prostate due to insufficient opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and his reserve personnel records are needed to determine if any conditions were incurred or aggravated during ACDUTRA.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for hypertension and left and right plantar fasciitis as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The appeal of PTSD with depression, not otherwise specified is remanded due to a request for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, the conditions are not related to service or any service-connected disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that they began during active duty.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right knee disorder, upper-gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and others. The TDIU claim is also being considered as a component of these increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions or examinations.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also being remanded as it may be related to his service-connected lumbar strain and knee disorder.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus is being remanded because there is insufficient evidence regarding whether the condition was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is being remanded due to a lack of medical opinion on its etiology, as it may be related to his bladder disorder and sleep disorder.,The Veteran's claim for liver disorder is being remanded as it may be secondary to his bladder disorder.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction (ED) is being remanded because it may be caused by his hypertension or lumbar strain.,The Veteran's claim for kidney disorder is being remanded due to its potential relation to his hypertension and bladder disorder.,The Veteran's claim for bladder disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether the condition was related to service or secondary to a bladder disorder.,The Veteran's claim for sleep disorder is being remanded because it may be related to his bladder disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis and hypertension is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran’s service in Vietnam, provide a medical opinion on whether hypertension was related to service, including potential herbicide exposure, and include all relevant records in the claims file.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD.,PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension, secondary to PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, or medications taken for those conditions, has been reopened and remanded.,The Veteran's claim for seizure disorder remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Left ear hearing loss is rated at 0 percent effective May 20, 2014. The issue of an earlier effective date is remanded.,Diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and the Veteran's request for a higher rating remains denied.,PTSD, depressive disorder, sleep disorder, coronary artery disease, hypertension (secondary to PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, or medications taken for those conditions), acid reflux (secondary to PTSD, depressive disorder, or diabetes mellitus), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD, depressive disorder, or diabetes mellitus) are all remanded.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee arthritis was denied, but his hypertension was granted. The decision is mixed as it reopened the right knee arthritis claim and granted hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability require the aid and attendance of another person for daily activities, including protection from hazards, dressing, undressing, keeping clean, and attending to personal needs. Special monthly compensation on account of need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shin bone disorder, right big toe arthritis, hypertension (claimed as high cholesterol), eye disorder, sickle cell trait, and skin disorders. The evidence did not support the claims based on direct service connection.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and a rating of 60 percent for dyshidrotic eczema is granted effective from the date of the decision. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets the DSM criteria for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck disability, right and left knee disabilities, tinnitus, systemic arterial hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), kidney stones, and a skin condition on scalp. The reasons include unclear relationships to service due to conflicting statements from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than December 17, 2002 due to lack of entitlement prior to that date. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU at any point during the appeal period and is only eligible for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).