Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder did not have onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service, including in-service exposure to herbicides. The claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and fingers are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's service at Ubon RTAFB and determining if he was exposed to herbicides. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disorder and hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and high blood pressure are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service. However, the issue of nonspecific dermatitis is being granted based on finding CUE in the March 2005 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened and is now granted due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact (lack of a preexisting diagnosis) and his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are found to be related to service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development due to the need for service personnel records and unit history documentation related to his claimed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate examination, requiring further development of the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and clarification of representation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart disorder and hypertension are not related to his period of service, including any exposure to Agent Orange. As such, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a direct or presumptive relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his active duty service, nor did any medical opinion support a finding of secondary service connection due to PTSD. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's hypertension was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is likely due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his employment history.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.