Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder during service or within the one-year presumptive period following discharge from service. The Veteran's current heart disorder is not considered related to active service, including contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent. The claim for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service but their exact status remains unknown. Hypertension was not caused by service.

The Veteran's hypertension, which first manifested in service and has continued since, meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. As such, the Board resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and finds that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or a result of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain more recent records and provide him with a VA examination to determine the nature of his claimed conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, low back condition, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD and depression), and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining new medical evidence and a VA examination. The issues include higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as a ganglion cyst, warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent. The Board has granted service connection for this condition and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension and back disability are determined to be related to his active service. The appeal for hypertension is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung conditions, including idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, did not manifest during or as a result of his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate evidence and the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded for additional development, and his claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also remanded due to the need for further examination and development of records. The case will be readjudicated after all development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his history of these conditions, and because further medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's colon cancer and hypertension were both found to be incurred in active service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that hypertension was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and right shoulder arthritis were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a diagnosis within one year post-service. The medical opinions provided did not support a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective July 15, 2011. The condition has caused occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's appeals were withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension and breast enlargement/tenderness are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in active service. The claims for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.