Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has reopened the claims for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, cysts, and hearing loss disability due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.,No new evidence was found to reopen the claims for left shoulder disability and anxiety/nervousness.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for residuals of an eye injury, a hand disability, a skin disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and counseling evaluation folder. The inextricably intertwined psychiatric disorder claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, and erectile dysfunction were denied as secondary to his service-connected glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The RO should also obtain the Veteran's National Reserve service records and determine if he suffered from hypertension during that period.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The claims for respiratory disorder (including sleep apnea) and hypertension are pending as there is no clear indication that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to service-connected and non-service connected conditions, with the April 2000 VA examination report being considered as having no probative value. The effective date for TDIU is set at September 21, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and the Board has requested an opinion on whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and service-connected diabetes mellitus, as well as a possible advisory medical opinion on whether his current hypertension may be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and the request to reopen the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension, respiratory disorder, and bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he contends was caused by his military service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative in conjunction with the Veteran, and therefore all appeals are dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision also addressed hypertension but did not specify a rating or effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and the dates of any use, storage or disposal of dioxins at Norton Air Force Base. The Veteran is also requested to provide records from all VA and non-VA health care providers who have treated him for hypertension or diabetes since service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was denied. The Board found that hyperlipidemia, a laboratory test result, is not a disability under VA law and therefore cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, but his diabetes mellitus, type II, which he contends caused or aggravated his hypertension, has been granted a 40 percent disability rating effective January 5, 2006. The right lower extremity disability resulting from a stroke and peripheral neuropathy was rated at 60 percent prior to December 5, 2014, but the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains denied.