Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus all issues are dismissed.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's private medical records, including those from his last month of life. The case will be remanded for a new opinion regarding whether any service-connected disability contributed to or caused the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to chronic symptoms of high blood pressure in service, and that these symptoms have been continuous since service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II and determined that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hair loss due to herbicide exposure, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The evidence submitted since the last final denial did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a video conference hearing before the Board. The issues include seeking an extraschedular rating, service connection, and evaluations for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of asthma, TDIU, service connection for hypertension and dextroscoliosis are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his hypertension and kidney condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and declined to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his hearing loss, as there was no new and material evidence submitted to reopen his hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding whether his hypertension is related to his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease or diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's bilateral eye disability or hypertension-induced glaucoma, and denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in active military service and did not have a direct link to his service. The Court remanded the case due to an error in attributing weight of evidence from the Veteran's private treating medical provider.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the award was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected as it did not manifest in service or to a degree of 10 percent within one year of separation, and no medical evidence related it to service. His left foot injury residuals were rated based on moderate limitation of motion of the ankle. The Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities were rated based on incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of burning foot syndrome, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling another hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional examination, including service treatment records and recent private treatment records. The Veteran's hypertension claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance between September 2007 and his death. The case is therefore REMANDED for such development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and resulting stroke were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of hypertension during service. The current disabilities are well documented after 25 years from when they should have been diagnosed if related to service.