Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded as there are missing service treatment records that may provide evidence of its onset during service or within one year of separation.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded because it is intertwined with other issues on appeal, including his cervical spine disability. Additional medical records and examination may be needed to clarify the etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to missing service treatment records that may provide evidence of its onset during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disability has been dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, specifically exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The appeal remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension, left shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis. The right shoulder and right ankle disabilities remain denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for hypertension, but the case of tinea versicolor is remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various heart disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and valvular heart disease, as well as atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, super ventricular arrhythmia, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current heart disabilities and herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis of the feet, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied.,Service connection claims for these conditions were also denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sinusitis, adjustment disorder, and hypertension are service-connected. However, further development is needed for his sleep apnea claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and is requesting additional evidence to determine if it can also be linked to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues on appeal, including service connection for hypertension, stroke, left ankle disability, psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's hypertension may be linked to his active duty service due to documented in-service instances of potentially pertinent elevated blood pressure readings. The stroke and left ankle disability are also likely related to the hypertension. A VA examination is needed to determine if a current psychiatric disorder is etiologically linked to the Veteran's military service, including with attention to the July 2016 lay testimony of the Veteran’s sister and August 2016 private medical opinion of Dr. Henderson-Galligan. The right ankle disability needs an adequate VA examination to assess its severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes and hypertension, which were service-connected, contributed to his death from a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). As such, the cause of the Veteran's death is considered due to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic disease in service or within the initial post-service year. The claim was based on his statements and testimony about having symptoms of nosebleeds and passing out during service which he believed were related to hypertension.,The Board also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to a VA lumbar myelogram in October 1971, concluding that the Veteran's pre-existing back condition was aggravated by his work-related injuries and not by the procedure.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (secondary to coronary artery disease), and hypertension. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bladder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection for headache disability was denied due to lack of current evidence and no identified underlying condition.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension and colon cancer, finding no new evidence to support the claims.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for a left thigh disability and hypertension, but denied reopening of the claim for low back pain. The decision also remanded the issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the February 1997 rating denial of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial increased rating for tinnitus due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection and ratings for various disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II.