Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for hypertension with cardiomegaly and TDIU prior to June 1, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from July 1, 2006, or in excess of 60 percent from March 26, 2012.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities prior to May 23, 2016 is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating for these conditions. His hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of such during service or within one year post-service.,Service connection for partial amputation of the left index finger was also denied, with the condition noted at service entrance and not aggravated by any in-service disease or injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and epistaxis, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and is not otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, COPD, and hypertension. The evidence received since the May 2009 rating decision is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo (including tinnitus), and hypertension. The claim of reopening the Veteran's eye disability is remanded due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. Therefore, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and hypertension did not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not shown to be related to his military service or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records and a VA examination for his intervertebral disc syndrome. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension and denied service connection for this condition. For diabetes mellitus, type II, the Board determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no need to regulate activities due to diabetes.

The Veteran's notice of disagreement with the February 2007 rating decision was not timely filed, and thus her appeal is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic nephropathy and hypertension, as well as her claim for a deviated septum. The claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy have also been denied.

The earliest date it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran was totally disabled by reason of individual unemployability due to service connected disability is December 7, 2010, the date the combined disability ratings were increased to 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II; left acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma; eye disorder (including diabetic retinopathy); neuropathy; a disorder manifested by numbness of the hands; erectile dysfunction; and hypertension. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, as evidenced by elevated blood pressure readings during his military service and continued after discharge. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable due to blood pressure readings consistently below the threshold for a compensable rating.,For his low back disability, the evidence does not support an initial rating in excess of 20 percent as there is no indication of favorable ankylosis or significant functional impairment. The Veteran's radiculopathy has also been rated appropriately based on its associated neurologic findings.,The separate rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains appropriate given the service-connected lumbar spine disability, and the left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated as 20 percent disabling overall.,For his left shoulder disability, a compensable rating of 20 percent has been granted based on limited motion, pain, and excess fatigability.

The Veteran's interstitial fibrotic lung disease, a service-connected condition, was found to be the cause of his death.,The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his severe pulmonary fibrosis.