Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected, as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's current GERD and hypertension disabilities are considered to have had their onset during active service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's GERD and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and heart disease due to a lack of availability of the Veterans Law Judge who conducted the 2013 Videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records related to the Veteran's cataracts and providing opinions on whether his erectile dysfunction, hypertension or cataracts were caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension, to include as due to service connected diabetes mellitus, has been withdrawn by his representative. As a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge, and the appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of kidney cancer and hypertension due to herbicide exposure should be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection based on a finding of chronic manifestations during active duty and National Guard service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is pending as the evidence does not clearly establish that it preexisted service or was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be reviewed by the Board after scheduling another hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related complications are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or any other herbicide. The Veteran was not diagnosed with hypertension until decades after service, and no medical professional has associated the diagnosis with his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure. The Board is unable to determine whether the Veteran's daily activities at U-Tapao Airfield brought him near the air base perimeter such that in-service herbicide exposure should be conceded.

The Veteran is entitled to an increased level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including renal insufficiency with nephrotic syndrome, left eye blindness, right below the knee amputation, anatomical loss of left foot status post above-the-knee amputation and loss of use of right hand, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left upper extremity polyneuropathy (non-dominant), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The Board also found that there is no legal basis for awarding a TDIU due to the absence of a service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not begin in service or until many years after service, and are not linked to any established in-service injury, disease, or event. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if hypertension is caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities, and for an effective date determination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to determine if hypertension is caused by or permanently aggravated by herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim remains pending and will be readjudicated after the completion of this development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and verification of exposure to pesticides during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The case is being remanded to allow for further development of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.