Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's hypertension is likely caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is related to his active duty service, as evidenced by elevated blood pressure readings during and shortly after service. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, or hypertension. The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), neck condition, COPD, sinus and allergy problems, left knee condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, skin disorder, and hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's timely notice of disagreement with the July 2010 rating decision has been acknowledged, and his claims for service connection are now considered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for hypertension and a brain tumor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records from the Dallas VAMC and Battle Creek VAMC, as well as treatment reports. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder other than coronary artery disease and essential hypertension is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. Service connection for hypertension was not established.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Medical Center of Manchester on July 5, 2009 are granted as the emergency treatment was necessary due to an urgent and life-threatening condition that could not be addressed promptly by VA facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during service or within one year of separation, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for chronic hypertension and a chronic colon disorder, finding that the disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease lower extremity, hypertension, gout, fractured right lateral malleolus, post traumatic osteoid osteoma of the left tibia, and cystectomy of the left buttock, have rendered him unemployable. The Board grants TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during service and is related to his service-connected condition, thus granting service connection for hypertension. The heart disability was also found to be related to hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 17, 2009 and May 7, 2009 do not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 due to lack of emergency treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for an addendum to the medical opinion regarding whether his diabetes mellitus has aggravated his hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his active duty service or by a service-connected PTSD.,There is no current disability shown as coronary artery disease, and thus it cannot be service connected.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for emphysema/COPD, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, CAD, trigeminal neuralgia, and PAD are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension are related to his service-connected PTSD or exposure to Agent Orange. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.