Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to or accelerated any existing health issues. The appellant contends that PTSD exacerbated his renal condition, which in turn caused his death.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of pericarditis or hypertension, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development of his military records, specifically regarding alleged herbicide exposure in Thailand and Vietnam. The Board will ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist in obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, hemorrhoids, and an initial rating for coronary artery disease are being REMANDED due to the need for additional development. The claim for increase for right lower extremity arteriosclerosis is also being REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and opinions to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all pending claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not present during service or due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right arm fracture residuals are service-connected, and the claim for hypertension has been reopened with evidence showing a relationship to service. The claims for bladder neck contracture, malnutrition residuals, and an earlier effective date for the right brachial artery aneurysm rating have also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for hypertension, hemorrhoids, and ganglion cyst of the right foot as there was no evidence showing that these conditions met the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia disability is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition during service and the current condition did not manifest until after discharge. The other issues were either not addressed or are not supported by sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201. The appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected right shoulder bursitis has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and gastroesophageal reflux disease to PTSD.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct link between the Appellant's pre-existing condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, arrhythmia, and hypertension due to exposure to mustard gas and other blistering agents during active military service. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are consistent with the presumptive service connection criteria for diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease and whether he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection for a headache disorder is granted, and he is entitled to an increased rating for his right shoulder entrapment syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran has hypertension and entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation.