Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence showing the condition manifested in service or within one year thereafter, and it is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected condition. The claim for service connection for hypertension was therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal for the issues listed on the cover page.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder and granted it. The Veteran's contentions, along with VA treatment records, private medical records, SSA records, and his testimony at hearings, have been considered in determining that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for hypertension, which was secondary to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's death was due to multiple conditions, including lung carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, hypertension, and scleroderma. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for muscle pain of the upper back, right arm and hand, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.,For the claim of service connection for muscle pain of the upper back and right arm/hand, the examiner will determine if these conditions are secondary to service-connected conditions or due to exposure during Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease, status-post stenting, remains at 30 percent. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on documented coronary artery disease and METs (metabolic equivalents) testing.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 50 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU. The claims for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy, bronchitis, swelling of joints in the upper extremities, sleep apnea, and low back disorder are all denied. Service connection was reopened for atrial fibrillation with hypertension and mitral valve insufficiency and low back disorder.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and an addendum report from the April 2009 VA compensation examiner regarding whether diabetes mellitus and/or service-connected hearing loss disability have aggravated hypertension.

The claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, kidney cancer, bilateral hand tremors, and right great toe injury are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies in the prior rating decisions. The Veteran will be provided with VCAA notice regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for examination and development of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service if deemed necessary.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and a compensable rating for sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.