Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and COPD, which may be related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, and glenohumeral musculoligamentous strain of the right shoulder have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment is granted due to his service-connected disabilities resulting from a stroke.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting VA examination findings and the need for additional medical records. The issues of a compensable evaluation for residuals of stress fracture, right tibia, and service connection for hypertension are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, resulting in a denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy are related to his service-connected bronchitis.

The Veteran's service-connected renal cell carcinoma is granted, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability), and the underlying issue of entitlement to service connection for an anxiety disorder. The appeals were dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are granted. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in favor of his claimed stressor involving an accidental shooting on the firing range during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and it is not causally related to active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, as well as to evaluate his external hemorrhoids. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension based on chronic manifestations in service and the presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, and he does not have a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more that requires continuous medication for control. Therefore, an increased evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's current hypertension was not caused by (to include an exposures therein) and did not have onset during, or within one year following, his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have materially contributed to his death from sepsis due to dementia, and the Board grants service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to service, herbicide exposure, or diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing hypertension had its onset within a year of the Veteran's service discharge, and thus denied presumptive service connection. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish direct or secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the onset of hypertension during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension or low back disorder, as there is no competent medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his active duty. The post-service records do not show any treatment for these conditions until years after separation from service.