Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran's lower back, heart condition, and hypertension disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,There is no evidence of any current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence does not support a grant of benefits in any of these cases.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension as there were no pending appeals and the Veteran did not appeal the December 2008 decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Vietnam. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining clarification of his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The case will also be reviewed by a VA examiner to determine if there is any relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his in-service duties, including herbicide exposure, as well as whether it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran requested an increase in the disability rating for prostatitis and filed appeals for service connection of various conditions, including hypertension, PTSD, tinnitus, blistering on the ears, glaucoma and cataracts with lens replacement, boils, emphysema, and tinea pedis. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol abuse, with significant contributory conditions including hypertension and anemia. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the right hip fracture claim was not addressed due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not incur during active service or due to herbicide exposure, and is not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The examiner opined that the hypertension was less likely related to National Guard service.

The Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within a year thereafter, and there is no evidence of its onset until after service. The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes or hypertension in service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions. The Board also noted that there was no probative evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing at an alternate location. The AOJ needs to explore all reasonable avenues for accommodating the Veteran's hearing request.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension have been withdrawn. The Board has found that PTSD is related to his verified in-service stressors, thus granting service connection for PTSD. Service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for the claimed conditions and determined that service connection was not warranted based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension had its onset during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to service or secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

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