Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lower back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, shoulder disability, an increased initial rating for tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the appeal of hypertension and headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development of the Veteran's service connection claims.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability or hypertension that is related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of several conditions, including a low back disability and lung disease, are being remanded due to the need for further development. The VA is requested to obtain deck logs from his ship during service and clinical records from an April 1964 hospitalization at Okinawa Naval Hospital.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating from October 1, 2006 to June 24, 2007, or beginning June 25, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to address service connection for hypertension, CVA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder based on secondary theories of entitlement. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records from various hospitals and VA facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension may be related to service, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are due to herbicide exposure or active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's elevated blood pressure readings during service were early indications of his subsequently identified hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and other orthopedic conditions, are found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary regarding the service connection claims for a disability of the right leg and hypertension. The Veteran's claims file, including any pertinent evidence in his electronic files, should be forwarded to the examiner.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a new VA medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of hypertension and whether it is secondary to or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is more likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's request to withdraw the issue of service connection for hypertension secondary to tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have not yet been decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further adjudication of a CUE claim and the issuance of a statement of the case regarding service connection issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA vocational rehabilitation records. A VA examination will also be conducted to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but not for hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issue of service connection for hypertension.