Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a higher rating for PTSD prior to April 8, 2011, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of bilateral inguinal hernia repair is granted.,The claim for service connection for depression, to include as due to in-service exposure to mustard gas and as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is granted.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in service and denied the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, liver condition, hypertension, and kidney condition as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a previously scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be rescheduled for a new hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions and additional records needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and left knee disorder have all been denied as they are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, residuals of a stroke, and diabetes mellitus are not due to service or any service-connected disability. The claims were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for hypertension, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure and medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness of hands and feet, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, but denied reopening of his claim for service connection for hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be service-connected, either directly or secondary to his service-connected PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and dysthymia. The Board also denied the earlier effective date for TDIU as it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran did meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 16, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected IgA nephropathy with hypertension will be evaluated based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating under VA regulations. The evidence does not show that his diastolic pressure was predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure was predominantly 200 or more.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within the first postservice year. The presumptive provisions for herbicide exposure do not apply due to lack of evidence of Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and prostate disability were not incurred or aggravated during his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a missed hearing, and no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine whether hypertension is related to service and if so, whether it is secondary to diabetes mellitus or PTSD.