Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, kidney cancer, liver disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that these conditions were not caused or aggravated by active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's chloracne was not service-connected, but his arthritis/stiffness and hypertension were found to be related to his service. The stroke residuals claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the need for a VA examination to address his lumbar spine disability and its relationship to service. The other issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the resolution of the service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2; hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2; and peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including examinations and the provision of SSA records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, including ischemic heart disease and hypertension, was denied as there is no evidence of inservice herbicide exposure or actual exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's conditions were not shown during service or within one year following discharge.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA negligence during his hospitalization, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of carelessness or negligence on the part of VA. Therefore, the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions related to his active or inactive duty service, and therefore, denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions (HTN, ED, CAD, and DMII) are not shown to be directly related to his service or a service-connected disability. The claims were denied as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, bilateral eye disability, and kidney disability are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current diagnosis of essential hypertension is related to his in-service labile hypertension and whether it was caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD. The claim will be reviewed on both direct and secondary bases.

The Veteran's hypertension is not considered service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence showing a chronic condition in service. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus. Additional VA examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on April 19, 2010 at a private hospital is timely filed. The merits of the reimbursement claim will be addressed in further proceedings.