Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for hypertension, which was granted by his representative prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to non-compliance with previous directives and requests for additional information from a witness.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, nor is it related to any service-connected disability. The arthritis claim was also denied as there is no evidence of arthritis during service and none has been clinically confirmed. Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted based on its relationship to combat service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed prior to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and is not aggravated by it. Therefore, service connection for hypertension cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding whether hypertension was aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus or other conditions. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending and will be reviewed after additional development.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain Army Reserve records from the U.S. Army Reserve Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sinusitis or hypertension disability related to his military service and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether his hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities.

The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hypertension is not causally related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, resulting in a denial of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD and diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that the previous VA examination reports were inadequate and ordered a new examination by a medical doctor to determine if hypertension was caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, which was previously denied in December 1998.

The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent prior to September 19, 2011. After a VA examination on that date, his rating for hypertension was increased to 40 percent effective September 19, 2011.,He is also entitled to TDIU based on the impact of his hypertension on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates was denied as his application for benefits was received by VA on January 18, 2007, which is the date he contacted the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office. The one-year deadline for filing a claim after separation from service has expired.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical records, and the case is being returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial rating for hypertension is now before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain private treatment records and to afford him a new examination in order to determine his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection is denied. Service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not due to a service-connected disability.