Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have onset in service and was not otherwise related to an injury, disease or event in service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that exposure to herbicides in service is presumed and that symptoms of hypertension were not chronic in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that hypertension did not become manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation and was not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record and proper consideration of the issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not proximately due to or the result of any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a previously scheduled hearing. He has requested a new Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, a disability incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination. The issue of an initial compensable rating for sinusitis is also being addressed.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active duty military service, did not manifest within one year of service discharge, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not notified of VA examinations and rescheduling is necessary. Additionally, outstanding VA and private treatment records are needed.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left bunion surgery residuals, a broken left ankle, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, female/gynecological condition (to include residuals of a tubal ligation; and a hysterectomy and/or residuals thereof), seizure disorder, and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for small and large bowel resection, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and cataracts, all of which were presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; left acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma; coronary artery disease; erectile dysfunction; hypertension; diabetic retinopathy; any other eye disability (other than diabetic retinopathy); dry skin (xerosis); bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; neuropathy; and a disability manifested by numbness of the hands are not ready for decision due to lack of probative evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease, diabetes with erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during service, and his hypertension is not presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infarction due to or as a consequence of COPD, which is service-connected.,The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed because the cause of death is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple conditions, including Type II diabetes mellitus and related disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's loss of use of both lower extremities due to his service-connected disabilities warrants specially adapted housing benefits.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated during active duty, is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability, and its incurrence or aggravation during active duty may not be presumed. The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to inadequate examination and further development is required.