Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct-incurrence basis and also reopened the previously denied secondary service connection claim for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter and has not been shown to be causally related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and residuals of a right foot/ankle injury due to inadequate opinions in prior VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional medical records, including MRI results from a private physician. An addendum opinion must be obtained by a VA examiner regarding the onset and etiology of his hypertension and right ankle/foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's hypertension claim is not addressed as it is unclear whether he is seeking service connection or just a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum to a VA examination and addressing issues related to hypertension, PTSD evaluation prior to July 3, 2013, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, residuals of left inguinal hernia, and bilateral knee disability. The Board found no evidence of such conditions during active duty or training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition, low back condition, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for aortic insufficiency with hypertension, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7099-7020. The Veteran's heart disability was found to more nearly approximate symptomatology that required a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and left eye pterygium were not incurred in or aggravated by service, thus denying these claims.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for hypertension or a respiratory disorder, including as due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not linked to his active duty.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has these conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for his peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine when this condition resolved, if at all, as well as whether it is related to his military service or service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing proper VCAA notice. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and diabetic retinopathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension during service or within the presumptive period, and determined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current hypertension had its onset in service. The VA examiner also opined that hypertension is less likely caused by his service-connected chronic pain syndrome.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the Veteran's hypertensive heart disease from October 30, 2013. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral eye disability, and dental disorder. The Board found no evidence of these conditions being incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus secondary to PTSD due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is to be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed disabilities.