Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether an extraschedular TDIU is warranted prior to December 28, 2010.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital during his non-emergency treatment were approved by VA, as he was not stabilized for transfer to a VA facility and refused such transfer.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that an initial compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's cluster headaches are currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Her bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome, status-post surgery with release, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Her left tarsal tunnel syndrome also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's eligibility for financial assistance for an automobile or adaptive equipment is denied.,The issue regarding loss of use of the right foot has been referred to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various arthritic conditions, hypertension, diverticulitis, and diabetes mellitus type II due to outstanding treatment records and inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for right foot plantar fasciitis, right ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction (ED), left foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral onychomycosis, eye disorder, left ankle disorder, back disorder, and tinnitus have all been denied. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder was reopened and granted. He is also granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type, and generalized anxiety disorder.,Service connection has been established for left hip disability, hypertension, and kidney disability (conceded exposure to tetrachloride).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and hypertensive heart disease with systolic murmur, and thus service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the service-connected obstructive lung disease contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection due to PTSD, diabetes mellitus with hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims were reopened on new evidence, but the effective date remains August 29, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of various respiratory/pulmonary conditions, including COPD, emphysema, obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, asthma/bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pulmonary conditions are related to his service, specifically asbestos exposure and treatment for tuberculosis.

The Veteran's service-connected gout and hypertension were denied initial disability ratings in excess of 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a left ankle sprain is denied as there were no prior unadjudicated claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) is granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his permanent and total disability status. A new examination is needed to assess these conditions.

This decision denies service connection for burns and non-service connected pension benefits. The Veteran's burn injuries are not related to his military service, and he does not have the required wartime service for nonservice-connected pension benefits.,The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including blurred vision, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and headaches.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records, conduct a VA examination for CAD and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link to service.,The Veteran's right and left knee replacements are remanded due to the absence of continuity of symptomatology from service and lack of explanation regarding claimed in-service injuries.,The Veteran's hypertension, chronic renal disease, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are remanded as they may be related to his multiple myeloma. The claims for these conditions will be deferred pending further development.,The Veteran's multiple myeloma is remanded due to the absence of a dose estimate from VA’s Under Secretary for Health regarding ionizing radiation exposure during service.