Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service or herbicide exposure. The examiner will consider the limited suggestive evidence of an association between hypertension and herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder, finding new and material evidence. However, it did not reach the merits of these claims as they are still pending.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, as well as opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, renal condition, and service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The issue of service connection for hypertension, secondary to Agent Orange exposure, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his period of active duty from 2004 to 2005. The issue of whether hypertension was permanently worsened by sleep apnea remains pending and will be addressed in a future remand.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of decompression sickness but denied hypertension. The Veteran's claim for residuals of decompression sickness is based on direct evidence, not a presumption or reopening due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective November 1, 2008. The increased evaluation for the right shoulder is granted.,The Veteran's endometriosis claim has been reopened and service connection is granted.,The Veteran's hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, sleep disorder, vision disorder, and respiratory disability are not service-connected.,The Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to his active service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hypertension was less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a video conference with the appellant. The veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in the condition prior to April 12, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for Meniere's disease, hypertension, heart disease, and IBS were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of a left ear scar with crusting.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied. The Board found that while the Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work, they did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Board video-conference hearing.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a lung disability due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disability and an enlarged prostate, presumed due to herbicide exposure, were remanded.,VA medical examinations found no evidence of chronic eye disabilities during service and the examiner concluded that current eye conditions are age-related or developmental errors.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's current hypertension and her active service, including periods of National Guard service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the onset and etiology of his hypertension and dermatitis.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to in-service asbestos exposure. The issues of secondary service connection for a cardiac condition, brain disorder, and hypertension are addressed in the REMAND portion.