Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as to provide the Veteran with an adequate opinion regarding his hypertension.

The Veteran's thrombophlebitis of the right lower extremity and hypertension are found to have originated during service and persist, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's sarcoidosis, which may be related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service, is related to his death. The VA also needs to obtain SSA disability benefits records and review them by a physician.

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 has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is permanently aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent prior to December 2, 2014 and 50 percent thereafter. The Board has also granted service connection for left nephrectomy and uterectomy, sterility, and hypertension on a new-and-material basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not reporting for a scheduled videoconference hearing and issues with communication regarding his current address. The claims will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Veteran's hypertension has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling since April 2010, based on the history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and continuous medication for control.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis and hypertension due to inadequate VA examinations, insufficient evidence on file, and potential association with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for aggravation of hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and addressing the basis and rationale for the amendment to the Veteran's death certificate. The claim will be readjudicated based on this new information.

The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed to determine if it is related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The case is remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hypertension, including as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if his service-connected conditions preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim will be considered in conjunction with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for morbid obesity has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability underlying the condition. The claim for service connection for hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his spine disability was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled examination.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and it is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and hypertension. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to hypertension is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer, hypertension, COPD, and stroke are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.