Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The case is being remanded for further VA examinations and the provision of additional treatment records to determine the severity of the veteran's diabetes mellitus and its complications, including diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension. The RO will then review the claim for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and chronic cervical spine disorder are related to service, but his left shoulder disorder is not. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for intraocular hypertension of the right eye, a right knee disorder, and a bunion of the medial aspect of the right first metatarsal head. The veteran's pre-existing hallux valgus was found to have been aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's hypertension is service-connected and if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities. Service connection was not granted on the basis of exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and a scar of the right flank due to urethral lithotomy. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and found no clear and unmistakable error in previous rating determinations regarding personality disorder, PTSD, or a temporary total disability evaluation.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypercontractile cardiac state, and hypertension are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, and denied all claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and hypertension, as well as reopening his claim for a left shoulder disability. The decision also notes that VA medical records from 1976 to 1998 have not been obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication of the TDIU issue and inextricably intertwined issues including service connection for heart disability and hypertension secondary to varicose veins, as well as increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been caused by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for hypertension, and will be reviewed by the RO in accordance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left ear hearing loss, and essential hypertension. The decision also noted that the claim for reopening of a claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was not before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed again with additional information and evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the misplacement of his original claims file and incomplete medical records. The RO will attempt to reconstruct the veteran's service medical records, locate any private treatment records from Dr. Robertson, and provide the veteran with a VA examination to determine if he has hypertension related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension. The RO will also consider the issue of an increased evaluation for the service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, peripheral neuropathy, chronic dysentery, beriberi, malnutrition, and helminthiasis as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence. The claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension was also denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and nonservice-connected pension are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to a specific hazard. The evidence does not establish a link between the veteran's current hypertension and his military service.