Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lung condition (to include pneumonia), chronic eye pain (both eyes and a history of horseshoe tear of left eye, status post-right eye laser repair), and chronic bone and body pain (bilateral shoulder pain; arm, neck, back, and wrist pain).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, are dismissed due to mootness. The claim for service connection for uveitis is remanded.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected asbestosis. The case has been remanded due to the need for an additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for additional development due to inadequate notice of a VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a new medical opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's causes of death, including hypertension, heart disease, chronic lung disease, chronic renal dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus, type II, could be attributed directly to his military service. The examiner must reconcile conflicting opinions from Dr. Patel and Dr. Maki with prior VA examinations.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent for his service-connected hypertension, effective from February 7, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional information from Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic cough or hypertension during service, and the Veteran did not experience these conditions until years after separation from active duty. There is also no credible evidence linking any current hearing loss to service.,No new evidence was presented to reopen claims for prostate condition and sinusitis.

The Veteran's hypertension has been reopened and granted service connection, with a current rating of 10 percent. The psychiatric disability claim is not addressed as it was expanded to include PTSD. Increased ratings for plantar calluses in both feet are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and hypertension are remanded due to a need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran reported having various disabilities, including foot problems, sinus issues, back pain, head injuries, hand/elbow/arm pain, shoulder problems, psychiatric conditions, and a heart condition. The Board will review these claims in light of all available evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcers and acid reflux, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service combat experience.,Service connection is also granted for a dental disorder (for outpatient treatment purposes), as it is considered part of the same claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left kidney disorders, as well as his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran no longer wishes to pursue these claims.,Service connection for hypertension was denied because there is insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine if he has a psychiatric disorder, diabetes, hypertension, or heart disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be incurred in service and granted. The claim for a higher rating for Type II diabetes mellitus remains denied.