Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD and/or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including headaches, COPD and Pickwickian syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, arthritis of the neck, arthritis of the legs (claimed as knees), arthritis of the back, arthritis of the shoulders, an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic liver disease, and a heart condition. The claims were denied based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a low back disability, but denied service connection for heart arrhythmia. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed conditions of hypertension, a psychiatric disability, headaches, and memory loss did not have their onset during any period of service or were caused by events in any period of service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a VA examination for the Veteran's hypertension, as there is no recent medical evidence of record and the Veteran reported that his blood pressure was extremely high.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and needs further examination regarding the onset of hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to missing documents in the claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or hypertension at any time relevant to this appeal and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and Agent Orange exposure contributed to his death from malignant neoplasm of the kidney. As a result, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, hearing loss, head trauma residuals, facial scars, neck disability, and low back disability. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hypothyroidism due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or Agent Orange. The Veteran's claims were also denied as the conditions are not considered diseases or injuries under VA compensation laws.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and coronary artery disease (CAD) with stent and myocardial infarction. The appeal was also denied regarding a temporary total disability rating based on need for convalescence due to right knee surgery, as well as initial ratings for GERD and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial disability ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected diabetes mellitus, and an increased initial disability rating for diabetic nephropathy were withdrawn in July 2014. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Board has decided the case requires additional development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for tinea pedis remains on appeal as it was not reopened. His hypertension claim is also pending with a secondary basis to PTSD and medication. The rating for PTSD remains in dispute.