Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The right hip disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 6, 2013 and at 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has found that further action is required due to the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits, and thus the case is being remanded for the RO or AMC to obtain SSA records and any other necessary development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before the matter can be properly adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a current examination for his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran is granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, with the latter being secondary to his hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the threshold required for such an increase.

The Veteran's service-connected nephropathy with noncompensable hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for diabetic nephropathy was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines. His hypertension was found to be unrelated to his diabetic nephropathy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and nonservice-connected PTSD. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran did not set foot in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides, thus denying service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Board also determined that there is no evidence of actual exposure to herbicides or any other means by which the claimed conditions could be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not have its clinical onset during service and is not otherwise related to service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension was not related to his period of active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not related to service and denied his claim. The Board also noted that there is no competent medical evidence showing that the Veteran had a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction with left ventricular aneurysm, left ventricular dysfunction, mitral regurgitation, and cardiomyopathy within one year after discharge from active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also found that hypertension is not caused or permanently made worse by a service connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a left shoulder disability, GERD, or onychomycosis in service and there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder and hypertension were also denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and consideration of the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and hypertension has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that severance of service connection for hypertension was improper and restored the award.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's heart disability and hypertension, as well as consideration of his blood pressure log from 2013. The claims will be readjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the relationship between his current heart disease and hypertension and service.