Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were also on appeal but the Veteran indicated he no longer wished to continue these appeals in his August 2008 substantive appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the nature of his hearing loss disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and verification of Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and a heart disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected cardiac disorder or hypertension, and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the expanded record, including a VHA medical opinion. The Veteran's appeal remains pending.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral eye disability are also presumed related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension warranted a 10 percent rating under DC 7101 due to its current manifestations not meeting higher criteria. For episcleritis, the Board determined it was at least as likely as not that the condition has been ongoing since service connection was established in March 2002 and granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking an initial compensable rating for renal insufficiency associated with hypertension. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and VCAA notice.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred during or aggravated by active service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for a right hand disorder, and will address the underlying claim to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the conditions are not directly related to military service or secondary to obesity. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle (secondary to left ankle), as well as glaucoma and cataracts. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain private medical treatment records from the Veteran. The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's hypertension claim has been reopened with the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if his hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or aggravated by other conditions, including Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy.