Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded for additional development to determine the type, nature, and degree of his claimed PCB exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence suggesting a relationship to service. The low back disability and bilateral foot disabilities were also not related to service.,Service connection cannot be established as the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year of discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service and is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

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

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities as of June 3, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin in service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, hypertension, and diabetes are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.

The appellant wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for gallstones and a heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease.,The appellant also wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension, finding that his diabetes did not require regulation of activities as contemplated by the applicable rating criteria. The low back disability was granted but with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for defective vision, refractive error (claimed as loss of eye sight) was denied due to lack of a nexus between the current disability and service. The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since June 2003.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code. Therefore, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and COPD due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's service treatment records, including those related to respiratory issues, were not considered in forming the opinions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, but denied the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure. The new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of these claims.

The Veteran's last sickness expenses, totaling over $10,000, were borne by the appellant. The Board found that these expenses exceeded the amount of awarded but unpaid benefits ($6,911) and granted the appellant this amount as reimbursement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a travel Board hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions and rating claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right foot disorder (claimed as arthritis of the right great toe), and hypertension. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.