Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and hypertension. The decision found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or related to his active duty service, while the claim for the shoulder condition is pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C (HCV) or medications prescribed for HCV. The VHA medical opinion concluded that the Veteran's hypertension was more likely related to known risk factors such as obesity and smoking, rather than service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and his wife. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, macular degeneration, stroke, and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial in 1991. However, the Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right leg disability, left leg disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his diagnoses and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred therein, and is not proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims of exposure to herbicides or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy were not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to additional development being required, including a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The criteria for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, with exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's hearing loss and TDIU claims are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, nor is there evidence to support a finding that it was incurred in service. The claim for hypertension secondary to herbicide exposure is also denied as no opinion could be provided regarding its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and mild diabetic nephropathy, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's hypertension, migraines, and left hip bursitis were all rated at the minimum 10 percent level. The decision did not address any other issues or conditions.

The Veteran's spouse does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on the issues of service connection for heart disability, hypertension, and arthritis of the left hip. The Board finds that these appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran died from a stroke due to or the consequence of atherosclerosis, with significant conditions including hypertension. The Board is remanding the case for additional development and medical opinions regarding whether his service-connected mental disorder (depressive neurosis) aggravated his hypertension, and if his alcohol use contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The hypertension was not exhibited within the first post-service year and is not etiologically related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.