Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension, a chronic disease, was manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, hypertension, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD. The claim for alcoholism due to an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough/bronchitis, heart disorder, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection has been granted with an initial rating of 10%.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a back condition. The Veteran now has diagnosed conditions that are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular percentage requirements for a total rating, and thus did not warrant an extraschedular TDIU. The Veteran was previously employed but lost his job due to taking prescribed medication for pain related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to new evidence and contentions. An addendum opinion will be requested from the April 2016 VA examiner to address whether his sleep apnea is related to in-service low potassium levels, jaw fracture, broken nose, swollen glands from colds, or stomach ulcers. The claim will also consider whether service-connected hypertension may have aggravated his sleep apnea.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not warrant higher evaluations based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the ankles or knees, hypertension, or gastritis for VA benefits purposes. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral visual impairment with SMC, and hypertension have been denied. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis has also been denied.

The Board has determined that hypertension was not incurred during service, is not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, and is not otherwise related to Agent Orange exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for hypertension was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the period of appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only 70 percent, which does not meet the requirement of at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or related to his period of active service, including as a result of herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance, as he can perform most activities of daily living without significant assistance.

The Veteran is entitled to an initial compensable rating for his lumbosacral strain with myofascial pain of the mid back around the scapulae, and a TDIU effective November 30, 2011.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and found new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The claims for muscle and joint aches, pulmonary disorder, sinus disorder, and liver disorder were not addressed as they are considered separate issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as a result of herbicide agent exposure or as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate opinions and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension were granted. However, his requests for increased ratings for the ruptured flexor of the left fourth finger and scars on that finger were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin during service or within a year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to his period of active duty. The claim for service connection for hypertension is therefore denied.