Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not etiologically related to his active service, was not present within one year of his separation from active service, and was not caused or permanently worsened by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for an enlarged heart as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision. The claim of reopening service connection for hypertension (as secondary to PTSD) is granted, and the matter may be remanded for further development. Service connection for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA compensation examination to provide a supplemental medical nexus opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 3, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence shows diastolic pressure predominately 100 or more, which meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or the result of any service-connected disability. For the PTSD claim, the Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to August 13, 2013, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in determining the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain all relevant records pertaining to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and further development is required.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, and there is no evidence of onset within one year post-service. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of hypertension is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his active service. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss and hallux valgus angulation of the left and right feet has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs and private treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication of the case.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, left foot pes planus with plantar callus, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. The Veteran had preexisting left foot pes planus that was aggravated by service, and his current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's heart disorder, hypertension, and back disorder have been etiologically related to service-connected post-herpetic neuralgia. The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as his conditions are not related to his military service or due to exposure to Gulf War Syndrome. His current disabilities, such as obesity and hypertension, do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding secondary service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, kidney disease, and dementia are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD/TBI with headaches.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to cardiovascular and respiratory failure, with hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and gastrointestinal tract bleeding as contributing factors. The Board finds a need for additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between in-service gastrointestinal complaints and the Veteran's gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to address the etiology of his cardiovascular disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not otherwise related to service. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause or aggravate his hypertension.