Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for hypertension in September 2007. New evidence received since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred during active military service, and the Board found no evidence of a direct connection to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated nasal septum and hypertension, but has remanded them to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year following separation, and the examiner's opinion was that hypertension did not exist prior to service. The Veteran's valvular heart disease is considered direct service connection as there is no indication it was incurred during service.

The Board has directed that the Veteran be provided a new VA examination by a physician to determine if his hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold level of severity for consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and his claim is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and found that new evidence submitted since the December 1999 denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis B, sciatica, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder (depression).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an increased rating for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis and for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, finding that the current conditions are at least as likely as not related to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his hypertension is aggravated by service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring service-connected compensation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, cardiovascular disabilities, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's hypertension and epistaxis were not shown to be related to her service, and the Board denied these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, including providing proper notice and obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions and denied both service connection for cause of death due to service-connected disabilities and under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disability and hypertension, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims of service connection for venous stasis of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a heart disability have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.