Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease and erectile dysfunction, including as a result of exposure to herbicides. The claim has been remanded due to the need for further verification regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension was incurred during his active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition after resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining statements from a potential witness regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension, heart disability, and hepatitis C have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to service-connected PTSD and whether it is at least as likely as not that his service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and necessary opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and hypertension.

The Board found that current hypertension is not caused by, or increased in severity beyond the natural progress of the disease by, service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining statements from a friend who served with him and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is found to have been incurred in service, as the condition was noted prior to his last period of active duty and worsened during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Hypertension was first diagnosed within one year after the Veteran's separation from service, and thus presumed to be incurred therein. Service connection for hypertension is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a neck disability have all been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current ischemic heart disease or any other claimed conditions related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a right shoulder disorder, service connection for cancer to include soft tissue sarcoma and squamous cell sarcoma as due to herbicide exposure, and service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide exposure or as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and PTSD have all been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year post-service and the Board finds that his hypertension was not caused or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to May 24, 2011 and a higher rating from May 24, 2011 for service-connected hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for anemia was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder (to include hypertension and a heart murmur).,Service connection is not granted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of a cardiovascular disorder.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim based on his period of honorable service was denied due to dishonorable discharge, precluding VA benefits for that period.,There is equipoise (equally balanced) evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to address his claims of service connection for obesity and hypertension.