Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's digestive disorder is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA medical opinion on whether it is related to Agent Orange exposure or his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's skin disorders are being remanded for a VA medical opinion on their relationship to Agent Orange exposure, as well as any sun exposure during service. The examination should also address the impact of medications taken due to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's chest pain disorder is being remanded for a VA medical opinion on whether it is related to Agent Orange exposure or PTSD.,The Veteran's respiratory disorders are being remanded for a VA medical opinion on their relationship to Agent Orange exposure, as well as any sun exposure during service. The examination should also address the impact of medications taken due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's post-service high blood pressure and hypertension. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including her knee disabilities and depression, preclude her from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and re-adjudication due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected diabetes and/or exposure to Agent Orange. The Board will also consider whether there is sufficient evidence to grant the claim based on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions. The examinations should address all in-service and post-service testing for lead exposure, as well as the Veteran's full service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU issue will be considered as part of this process.

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

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, retinopathy, hypertension, and a back disorder. The appeal will be remanded to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during service and to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several service-connected disabilities and for service connection for additional conditions has been withdrawn. The Veteran's daughter, M.E.W., is recognized as the 'helpless child' of the Veteran for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, pulmonary condition, IHD, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected diabetes, and thus grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his TDIU prior to May 31, 2010 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a comprehensive diabetes mellitus examination. The TDIU claim is also deferred pending resolution of the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred as a result of service. The claim for heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, right shoulder tendonitis, and left shoulder tendonitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of February 1, 2007. The claim for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn during the hearing. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease were granted with initial ratings of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that hypertension was not incurred in service, may not be presumed to have been incurred therein, and was not proximately caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.