Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his Reserve service records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not experience any in-service event, injury, or disease related to his sleep apnea and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error and requests for another hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin during service and is not related to his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, cervical radiculopathy, heart condition (presumably ischemic heart disease), eczema, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA medical opinions provided less than 50% probability for a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to active military service and denied his claim. The hypertension issue was remanded as there may be an association with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not related to any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed hypertension, specifically whether it is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected lung cancer or CAD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering whether to refer the case for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected disabilities, as well as whether she has a right wrist disability, back disability, or bilateral knee disability related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Video Conference hearing due to his failure to report for the scheduled hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between his sleep apnea and service-connected hypertension, as well as a need for further examination on direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for residuals of right knee surgery from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective December 18, 2012, was proper. The Veteran's residuals of right knee surgery have resulted in no more than flexion limited to 80 degrees and extension limited to 5 degrees. The Board also determined that the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent for right knee instability have not been met for any period on appeal. The criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension have not been met for any period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence of record to decide whether a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, specifically whether it is secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder and/or diabetes mellitus type II. The examiner will also provide opinions regarding whether hypertension was caused or aggravated by coronary artery disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the evidence showing controlled medication use and no history of diastolic pressure of 100 or more.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the hands and feet, a left elbow disability, residuals of a broken right wrist, a left foot fallen arch, a blind right eye, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and depression, all for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a copy of an affidavit from Mr. G.C., III.