Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for VA examinations. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, a skin condition, and upper body skin cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a need for further consideration by VA in light of updated criteria and procedures regarding herbicide exposure in Da Nang Harbor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left elbow disability was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for diabetes mellitus prior to June 23, 2009 or from then on, nor did it meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the hips.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service, including as due to exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension to the Houston, Texas Regional Office (RO) for additional action due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such a nature or severity to prevent him from obtaining or retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his diabetes mellitus, but further examination and evidence are needed to determine this.

The Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of a current eye disorder, and the Veteran does not have macular degeneration (eye condition).,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a chronic respiratory disorder claimed as recurrent infections and bronchitis, and a sleep disorder claimed as chronic insomnia and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service incurrence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a right hand disability, as well as the initial ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and a VA examination. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ/AMC on the basis of the additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated by service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The evidence did not show a connection between these conditions and his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and an unclear opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA psychiatric opinion to address whether hypertension is caused by or aggravated by service-connected PTSD, and if so, whether it is secondary to that condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to have been incurred during his active duty from July 2008 to October 2009. Service connection for insomnia is granted as it is secondary to service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for hypertension, which he contends is related to his diabetes mellitus or due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that additional development is needed as the February 2015 VA examiner's opinion did not address whether hypertension was aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and updated treatment records are required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, lung cancer, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The appeal was not about service connection at all.