Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran seeks an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, arguing that his service-connected condition includes various residual manifestations. The current evaluation is noncompensable. A remand is ordered to obtain a medical opinion identifying all residual manifestations and their severity, as well as assessing the relationship between thrombocytopenia and the service-connected hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and malaria are being remanded as the VA examination reports do not provide sufficient information to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted. He is also awarded a noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the issues of service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for anxiety neurosis with depression prior to April 3, 2010, and a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension. The Board finds the duty to assist has not been met and remands the case for a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been caused by in-service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relation to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered after further investigation.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, anxiety, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and hypertension were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period. The Board found that the post-service records do not show a diagnosis or treatment for any of these disabilities until many years after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and a heart disorder are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease, including coronary heart disease and hypertension, is related to his service. The preexisting hypertension was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was reduced to 60 percent effective December 1, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor is it proximately due to or the result of medications taken for his service-connected chronic allergic asthmatic bronchitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated. This includes obtaining VA treatment records and any medical and legal documents pertaining to the Veteran's application for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cluster headaches and hypertension, which are found to be related to his military service. The appeals are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension preceded his diabetes mellitus and was caused or aggravated by it. The claim is also remanded for an opinion on whether hypertension was caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues regarding service connection for hypertension and a leg disability. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again with consideration of new evidence, including an internet article.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied her claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.