Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and related conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of hypertension during or contemporary to the appeal period, so service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension are related to his exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange, during service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability, thyroid disability, neck disability, or bilateral wrist and knee disabilities. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for bladder cancer and hypertension were denied as they did not have their onset in active service, are not causally connected to active service, and neither is it due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left upper and lower hemiparesis due to cerebrovascular accident (CVA) associated with hypertension and renal insufficiency associated with hypertension, qualify for an increased level of SMC equivalent to the intermediate rate higher than 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114 subsection (m), but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete National Guard service records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for lumbar disability and hypertension are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining clarification on his service connection theory and exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardio respiratory arrest, with underlying causes of congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease. The appellant contends that the Veteran's hypertension, which is service-connected, contributed to his death. The Board finds further development is needed to determine if the service-connected general anxiety disorder (a principal or contributory cause) had its onset during service or is otherwise related to it.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Appellant's periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and obtain outstanding records, including service treatment records from his National Guard and Reserve service. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for clarification regarding the diagnosis of hypertension and an addendum opinion addressing the relationship between PTSD and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and hypertension, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran's burn scars are rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches have been increased to 30 percent. The Board denied service connection for the remaining conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The Veteran's other claims for service connection have not been substantiated.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a heart disorder, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,All three conditions are now considered service connected due to their association with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and procedural issues, including a need for a new hypertension service connection evaluation and a statement of the case on lentigo maligna.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right foot first digit disability, an initial compensable rating for hypertension, and an initial compensable rating for a scar on the anterior chest. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.