Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the cause of death is related to service or any service-connected disability. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's current hypertension was not found to be related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension and lumbar spine spondylosis at L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 were granted initial compensable ratings from August 1, 2006, to March 30, 2009.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA physician concluded that the hypertension is a separate condition from diabetes mellitus.

The Board has ordered the claims remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. P.R.D., VA treatment records, and verifying the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and assigned a 20% evaluation effective May 29, 2009. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service or service-connected disabilities, including his service-connected orthopedic conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The lung disorder and neurologic disorders in both upper extremities are not related to Agent Orange exposure, but the Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt for his ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had hypertension as early as July 2009, within one year of separation from active duty service, and granted service connection based on this presumption. However, his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip tendonitis remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations. The issues involve exposure to Agent Orange, toxins, and jet fuel.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a back disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder. The VA examiner found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hypertension, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and chronic lung condition (claimed as bronchitis) are all granted. Service connection for DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine is also granted with an initial rating of 10%. The Veteran's arthritis of the right great toe and arthritis of the left great toe each receive an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the secondary nature of these conditions to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete service records. The missing records will be sought and associated with the claim file or, if not found, the Veteran will be advised of alternative sources.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Meniere's disease, spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension are being remanded due to scheduling a videoconference Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides, while stationed at the Nakhon Phanom RTAFB. The claim for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus remains unresolved as there is no evidence of Vietnam-era exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service and does not manifest within a year of discharge. The most probative evidence indicates that his hypertension is not related to or permanently worsened by his diabetes mellitus, which he takes for treatment.