Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The remaining claims will be remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disorder, headaches, back disorder, depression, bilateral foot disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The RO previously denied these claims in January 2003 due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or showing current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Parkinson's disease was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim before a decision could be made.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he argues is due to his service-connected Hodgkin's disease and heart condition/pacemaker. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear rating decisions and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that additional information and evidence are needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including clarification of his service dates and records from National Guard/Reserve units. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess her back disorder and hypertension, as well as determining whether her service-connected disabilities would preclude gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have onset in service or within one year of service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service, including his service connected PTSD.

The Veteran's heart disease with hypertension was granted a disability evaluation of 30 percent effective October 6, 1998. The claim for TDIU prior to November 7, 2002 is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to potential exposure to herbicides in Guam, which has not been verified. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied hypertension service connection and also denied secondary service connection for hypertension due to PTSD and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension is being remanded due to the need to consider a secondary service connection theory of entitlement, which was raised by his representative in an informal brief. The RO/AMC will provide notice and allow consideration under this new theory.

The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome and hypertension are found to be related to service, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and low back disorder. The claim for service connection for diverticulitis is pending, as is the claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, hemorrhoids, hepatitis C, and hypertension, cannot be granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, alcohol abuse, and a skin condition have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there is not enough information in the record to make a decision on the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes.