Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, records retrieval, and consideration of extraschedular ratings.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, adjustment disorder, or diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities. The reduction of the prostate cancer rating was upheld.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to this condition.

The Board dismissed all the moving party's claims of service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the low back, retinopathy, cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis, PTSD, and depression, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral hammertoe deformity with bunions and blisters, hypertension, and circulatory problems of the bilateral lower extremities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to in-service exposure to chlorinated wells and human waste.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are granted service connection, with the latter being linked to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, essential hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder as the Veteran's current conditions did not develop during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as to adjudicate his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease. The Board will also consider the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also determined that hypertension is not proximately due to or a result of any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including holding a Travel Board hearing and addressing the TDIU claim. The hypertension service connection issue remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension, low back disorder, left eye pterygium, lower lip scar, PFB, and right eye pterygium excision residuals to the RO via the AMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and shortness of breath. The evidence did not establish direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for schizophrenia and depression, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to internal inconsistencies in the psychiatric examination. The claim of service connection for PTSD is also remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension in service or until many years after service, and the most probative evidence is against the conclusion that any current hypertension is related to service or to any incident therein or was caused or aggravated by chronic fatigue syndrome and major depressive disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder is not service-connected and denied his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for lung disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, and sleep apnea are remanded due to a lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The case will be remanded for further action.