Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hypertension, were a contributing factor to his death. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board finds that there is no probative evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The opinion provided by VA examiners indicates that hypertension was not a complication of diabetes and had not been aggravated by it.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise and, therefore, affording the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension, service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease), and whether it was caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran is granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for hypertension and heart condition as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus are also granted.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of an umbilical hernia and the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as it is not related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left shoulder and right knee conditions have been granted, effective July 23, 2011. The claim of service connection for hypertension has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is July 10, 1995. The Veteran's claim was pending and not adjudicated until an April 2010 rating decision granted service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his left knee, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD aggravates his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating, and no higher. The evidence shows that the Veteran has required continuous medication for control of his high blood pressure since October 2010.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including providing notice of the reasons for the prior denial of his claim and obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and kidney disease to include pyelonephritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia with PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. As a result, the DIC claim is moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any back disability and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability claim information. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus disability, has been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current hypertension is related to his military service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, PVD, CAD, and hypertension. The reasons were that there was no evidence of in-country service or documented exposure to herbicides during service.