Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain updated medical records and any private treatment records related to the Veteran's heart condition, including his bypass surgery. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which is considered a direct service connection as no presumption or secondary condition was established. The other conditions are still under consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart murmur were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other presumed conditions in service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability manifested by a heart murmur.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder are not found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or service, nor did they manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's hypertension has been treated with continuous medication and manifested by a history of diastolic blood pressure of predominantly 100 or more. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating are met, but not higher.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, carcinoma of the abdominal cavity (status post-surgical removal), kidney stones, psoriasis, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted based on a presumption of service connection due to exposure during Gulf War service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were not related to his military service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and mycotic toenails are rated based on their underlying diabetic process. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of medical records. The Board will determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and spastic colon as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.,Service connection was not granted for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service or within one year of service, nor is it shown to be caused by active military service or a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any heart disorder, including CAD and hypertension, is related to the Veteran's military service or caused by his service-connected systolic murmur.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, specifically whether it is related to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his herbicide exposure, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability level.