Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's service periods and obtain his medical records. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension have not met the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II and 10 percent for hypertension, with no combined rating exceeding 30%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including service connection evaluations and a determination of the functional impairment resulting from her bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to Agent Orange exposure. The hypertension claim is also denied as it did not develop within one year of discharge and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it was incurred during active service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is supported by medical evidence, and the presumption of soundness applies as her condition was not noted upon entrance into service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not otherwise related to service. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not that the hypertension is caused by or aggravated by diabetes mellitus or PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and noted that it resolved without residuals in 1988.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headache disability does not cause or aggravate his currently diagnosed hypertension. The claims for PTSD and MDD as secondary to the service-connected posttraumatic headache disability are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his active duty service. The hypertension claim remains pending as there are outstanding National Guard treatment records and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his diabetes, hypertension, right foot numbness, and sleep disorder.

Your appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference or Travel Board hearing at your local RO. The case will be processed accordingly.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure during active service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorder are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder, service connection for back disability, hypertension secondary to service-connected dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder secondary to service-connected dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder. The Board found no direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for seizures, gastroenteritis, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen his previously denied claim of a cardiovascular disability. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis of the fingers and toes, acid reflux disorder, hypertension, and asthma are all granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that there was no evidence to show a nexus between these conditions and his military service.