Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tonsillar carcinoma and hypertension are related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and has granted this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for headaches remains pending and requires further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and initial ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, as well as his left wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board at the RO. The issues include rating for bilateral hearing loss, verruca on both hands, and residuals of a fracture of the right little finger; service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, left knee condition, hypertension, bilateral eye condition, and migraine headaches; and reopening claims for left knee condition, hypertension, and bilateral eye condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or made worse by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and need for additional etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's foot conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown during service or within one year of discharge, and the evidence does not support a direct link to service. The Board finds that service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as he did not serve during a recognized period of war, thus making him ineligible for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression and alcohol abuse; pancreatitis; and/or type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a remand is necessary as the current VA examination report is inadequate for adjudication purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability (enlargement), lumbar spine disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, otitis, kidney enlargement, and dizziness were denied. The appeal is dismissed as the evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and heart condition (congestive heart failure) are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to scheduling issues and will handle them in an expeditious manner.

The Board found that the appellant's current hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during his service in the U.S. Navy Reserves, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and adequate medical opinion regarding hypertension. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hepatitis is related to service and granted his claim for service connection. The hypertension issue remains pending as it was not addressed in the original decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is not related to his active service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hypertension and onychomycosis of the bilateral fifth toenails is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects that it requires insulin and a restricted diet. The Veteran does not have any regulation of activities due to his diabetes mellitus. Ischemic heart disease has not been established as incurred or secondary to service-connected diabetes.