Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 60 percent since March 25, 2014. The appeal is granted for this issue.

Service connection is granted for left knee osteoarthritis and hypertension.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left ankle sprain issues are pending, as the necessary medical records have not been received.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if his hypertension is related to service and exposure to herbicides. The issue of diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents, must also be addressed by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He has been placed on the waiting list and now requests a videoconference hearing instead.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all granted. The Veteran is also service-connected for retinopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and arthritis of the joints are not related to her military service.,There is no evidence showing these conditions were present during or within one year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to outstanding records and scheduling issues for examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that hypertension was not related to the Veteran's active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension was incurred during active service, specifically during a period of drill duty where he suffered a heart attack. As this period is considered active military service, the Board has granted service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent evaluation, as he is not restricted in his activities due to this condition. Other claims for service connection and evaluations have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge due to the Veteran's desire.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his low back pain, hypothyroidism, memory loss, fatigue, high blood pressure, bad vision, high cholesterol, and depression symptoms, and determining the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has received a statement from the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not proximately due to or a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether herbicide exposure caused or aggravated the Veteran's hypertension despite his other risk factors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is now pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and failure to ensure substantial compliance with prior remands. The Veteran's hypertension, inguinal hernia, bilateral knee disorder, and sleep apnea claims are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.