Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete compliance with the Board's previous remand directives. The case will be returned for further examination and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The claims for hearing loss disability and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's cardiomegaly is found to be caused by his service-connected hypertension, and the appeal for hypertriglyceridemia has been withdrawn. The claim for cor pulmonale remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bladder disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran is required to undergo medical examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and a neck disability. The claim for hearing loss was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 21, 2003, but his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and PTSD, as well as any possible herbicide exposure. Additionally, clarification of the Veteran's intent with respect to his October 2010 statement for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD is needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 1, 1997 due to the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for entitlement to benefits. The DEA claim was granted effective May 5, 1994, when he first demonstrated a permanent and total disability.,The Veteran's unemployability is based on his service-connected lumbar, cervical, thoracic spine, bilateral joint degenerative arthritis, right elbow contracture with ulnar nerve compression symptoms, and multiple joint chondromalacia. The VA examinations and private rehabilitation counselors' statements support the conclusion that he cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension did not have onset during active service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge from active service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service, including as proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected coronary artery disease or diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not found to meet the criteria for higher ratings during the period from August 1, 2009, to January 17, 2012.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, and there are no allegations of errors of fact or law for appellate consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral ocular keratoconus, entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is related to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for residuals of an insect bite, residuals of a tapeworm infection, and low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service, is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service, and was not caused by any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for hypertension cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension and rhinitis, as well as for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and left knee disability have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that there is no evidence to support these claims based on active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Morton's neuroma (claimed as a bilateral foot condition) has been withdrawn. The claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the throat injury sustained during the February 2010 left knee arthroscopy is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder injury and hypertension are currently pending. The claim for hearing loss has been denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.