Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder is aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea. The claim of service connection for hypertension is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension was withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and left knee disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the latter claim. The decision also noted that VA had not provided a medical opinion regarding the relevance of in-service high blood pressure readings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and GERD to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether his conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities, as well as to consider other potential causes of these conditions. The Veteran also requested an increased rating for GERD, which is being referred back to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral eye disability secondary to hypertension, GERD, and bilateral knee arthritis. The Veteran's blood pressure was noted on entrance examination but not within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to smoke and fumes were not supported by contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it was present within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, TBI, hypertension, and TIA. The TMJ disability is currently rated at its maximum allowable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and hypertension as secondary to service-connected psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims are remanded for additional development regarding the relationship between his hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from December 12, 2013. As such, no further action is required on any remaining issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder or right foot disorder, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. The claims for dental trauma, lead paint poisoning, gout of bilateral legs, skin disorder due to Agent Orange exposure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the current rating is appropriate, and the coronary artery disease prior to January 1, 2014 claim was denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The left ear hearing loss claim was denied as it does not meet the compensable rating criteria.

The competent and probative medical evidence does not show that the Veteran's hypertension was present in service or within one year of separation, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between his current condition and military service. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's hypertension is related to PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to his service-connected heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension that is attributable to her active military service and finds that it is less likely than not caused or made worse by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including hypertension, migraines, sleep disability (narcolepsy), sinus disability, and polymyalgia. The issues are primarily about service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder or due to exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hypertension with mild renal insufficiency is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, which are currently diagnosed conditions. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 1, 2006 for the award of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The claim was pending since March 15, 2005.