Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to have had its onset during his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been granted a 10 percent disability rating effective April 11, 2013. Service connection for depression was also granted on the basis of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding his May 2009 rating decision, which denied his claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any current hypertension, as there is evidence of elevated blood pressure in service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension will be remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining records of post-service hypertension treatment and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease or due to exposure to herbicides. The claim will be reconsidered in light of these developments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his military service and herbicide exposure, has been remanded due to the need for clarification of whether he seeks service connection for heart disease. The VA examiner provided an opinion on the etiology of hypertension but did not address whether it was directly related to service or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a comprehensive examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, and the Board has determined that these claims are inextricably intertwined with other issues. The case is therefore REMANDED to schedule a videoconference hearing before the undersigned VLJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA outpatient treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the current level of severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, hypertension, eye condition, diabetes mellitus, stroke, heart condition, and high cholesterol. The appeals were withdrawn before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, given his educational and occupational background.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and will consider the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD but not peptic ulcer disease, is as likely as not due to an event or incident of his extensive active service. The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than peptic ulcers is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a failure to timely file a substantive appeal within the required time frame.