Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the issues of service connection for hypertension and a left arm/elbow disability have been granted in full with the issuance of a February 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected hypertension with headaches has been denied as the evidence does not show diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more, which is required for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, and left knee disability are not service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of in-service treatment or manifestations within one year post-service. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion to link current symptoms to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining relevant personnel records. The issues are whether the Veteran can establish service connection for hypertension and kidney disease, with kidney failure as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran has satisfied the requirements for presumptive service connection for hypertension, and service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and psoriasis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, arranging for examinations, and determining if there is a relationship between his conditions and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher rating, and service connection for hypertension is also granted as secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disorder is due to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, COPD, and headache disorder are not service-connected as they did not develop during his military service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records, arrange for appropriate medical opinions and examinations, and otherwise ensure a complete record before proceeding with the adjudication of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not causally or etiologically related to his service, and specifically does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection based on his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines existed prior to her second period of service and were aggravated during this period. Service connection for migraines is granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension, secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability, remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial compensable evaluation for folliculitis-like skin lesions, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's hypertension and CVA residuals were not incurred in or aggravated by service, are not related to service, and are not the result of in-service Agent Orange exposure.,CAD is not productive of congestive heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation, or left ventricular ejection fraction 50 percent or less; it results in dyspnea with workload of greater 7 but not greater than 10 metabolic equivalents.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to place the relevant evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a back disability related to service, and thus grants service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected on a direct basis. The initial rating for coronary artery disease prior to November 28, 2016 was granted at 30 percent and since then has been increased to 60 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, migraine headaches, bilateral eye disability, and left knee disability are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by severe anoxic encephalopathy with underlying causes of respiratory failure and status post cardiopulmonary arrest. His service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, associated with herbicidal agent exposure, did not cause or substantially contribute to his death.