Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and service treatment records, as well as verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if any current low back, hypertension, or bilateral feet disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, end-stage renal failure, and anemia are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure history and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his death. The issues of service connection for cerebrovascular disease and cause of death are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology and date of onset for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and new and material evidence claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's file was reviewed by a VA podiatrist to determine the relationship between his current bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel complaints in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and has also denied his request to reduce the evaluation from 20 percent to zero percent effective October 1, 2012. The Veteran is currently receiving a noncompensable evaluation for PUD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder, finding that there was no chronic disease shown in service. The low back disability claim is also denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep disorder, and heart disorder related to Agent Orange exposure are all granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is medical evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a comprehensive employment history assessment. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD, and thus service connection for hypertension is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for heart disease remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's colon cancer was not incurred in service and is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for his peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hand tremors were denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service. The disorders are not considered to be due to exposure to Persian Gulf War conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of representation, and the Veteran's authorized representative was given an opportunity to submit written argument on their behalf.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and right ear hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent post-service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, accepting the most recent decision of the RO which addressed each issue now on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence showing that his preexisting condition was aggravated during active duty. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts and hypertension, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.