Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension has been managed with daily medication, but the blood pressure readings have never consistently met the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and skin disorder are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, blackouts, back condition, sleep disorder, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied. The right shoulder disability was granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a circulation disorder other than venous insufficiency with venous stasis dermatitis, and a skin disorder other than venous insufficiency and venous stasis dermatitis. The Board found that there was no evidence of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent as of April 20, 2015. Effective from July 15, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to TDIU due to his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, conduct VA examinations, and determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication, but has not been shown to result in diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. The Board grants a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and hepatitis C, which he claims was caused by military service in Iraq, are related to his service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease with hypertension and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, ankles, and wrists. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred during his first period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent since December 20, 2012.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to exposure to loud noise during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted based on the presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, and a VA examination is needed to determine if it was caused by herbicide exposure. The spinal hematoma may also be related to the hypertension.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected. His hypertension, eye injury, and foot disability are all service-connected.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities for pension purposes prior to October 25, 2017 included PTSD with major depression, knee arthralgia, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, hypertension, inguinal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran was not found to meet the schedular criteria for a permanent and total disability rating prior to October 25, 2017. As such, he is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private medical records related to his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues related to hypertension, circulatory problems of the lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or a shoulder disability.

The Board has ordered additional development and remanded the case due to deficiencies in notice provided during a previous hearing, as well as insufficient evidence to support the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's hypertension and acquired psychiatric disability claims are being remanded for further action.