Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for frostbite, both hands. The new evidence presented relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the merits of the claim - his complaints of hand pain post-service. Service connection was not granted as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability due to frostbite sustained in service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, service connection for elevated cholesterol, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are being remanded due to additional development needed. The issues will be reconsidered after all relevant evidence is obtained.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension was received. The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction disability is proximately caused or aggravated by the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, numbness and tingling of the hands, and hypertension have been granted. The conditions are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. Service connection was also not granted for low back strain due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability and hypertension are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the St. Petersburg, Florida RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to in-service stressors, including a sexual assault. The claim will also be evaluated for secondary service connection of hypertension and stroke.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was denied due to his failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to further evaluate his claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to Agent Orange exposure and whether it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and heart disease can be decided.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran does not have a current neurological disability of the upper extremities, nor is there any competent medical evidence linking his hypertension to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or undifferentiated schizophrenia reaction.