Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's death due to gastric carcinoma was not etiologically linked to his service or any incidents therein or his service-connected disabilities. The basic criteria for entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 have not been met.

The Veteran's hypertension is not considered to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran had hypertension during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial increased rating for low back disability prior to December 20, 2011 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in either case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Tinnitus, Thoracolumbar Spine Strain, Right Ankle Strain, and Right Knee Disability, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have asbestosis, and thus denies his claim for service connection. For his other claims, additional development is needed to obtain complete medical records from Dr. Ploss regarding chronic fatigue syndrome, an updated examination on allergies, and a determination on whether hypertension pre-existed his ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hypertension claim. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and reopening of a previously denied claim are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a secondary service connection opinion for sleep apnea and issuing a statement of the case regarding his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA examination and records, particularly regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs from the Veteran's second period of service and providing a medical opinion regarding whether hypertension had its onset during service or is related to service. The issues on appeal are entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to service connection for chronic multi-symptom illness (CMI) for accrued benefits purposes based upon a claim pending at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension evaluation remains at 10 percent, and a new examination is needed due to recent medical evidence indicating the condition may be affected by congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's hypertension and stroke residuals are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination. The PTSD and atherosclerotic heart disease claims will also be remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension and stroke residuals issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of any nexus between the appellant's current hypertension and his active service or a service-connected disability, nor was it proximately due to exposure to herbicides or secondary to, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and the claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no legal basis for assignment of any earlier effective date.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left pes planus with calcaneal spur and hypertension has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is directly related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran also needs an examination regarding his hypertension.