Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The Board also found no nexus between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II or coronary artery disease and his hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to or caused by his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension. As such, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his bilateral eye disability is being remanded due to the need for further development. The issue of service connection for hypertension remains pending and will be addressed after the necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he contends had its onset during his active duty service. The Board has determined that a VA examination and additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have active duty of at least 90 days, and thus did not meet the threshold eligibility requirement for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his active service, and the Board grants this claim. The issue of erectile dysfunction is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no evidence of their onset during active service or within one year post-service, and the Board found that they are not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a back disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea preexisted service and were not aggravated by military service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, alcohol abuse, and cirrhosis of the liver. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, but his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were both rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's hypertension and residuals of intestinal surgery for ruptured diverticulitis were not found to be related to his service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The claim for PTSD with major depression was not granted as the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lymphedema of the left leg, hypertension, and thyroid disorder in May 2005. The new evidence submitted since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus and anemia as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is granted, and he is also granted service connection for back disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The exposure basis is Agent Orange.

The Board has decided the case needs additional medical opinion on whether sleep apnea is related to service and if it's secondary to hypertension. The Veteran also submitted new evidence, so a remand is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran's claim for reopening a previously denied hypertension claim and his secondary service connection claim for coronary artery disease are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant (Veteran's spouse) is a proper claimant for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred by the Veteran at a non-VA facility. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and depression, as well as her service connection claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease. The decision also noted that she had withdrawn her appeal regarding a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia.