Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's hypertension was found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic nephropathy. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss. However, further development is needed to obtain potentially relevant service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension and an additional comprehensive examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to consider the combined effects of the appellant's service-connected disabilities on his employability, as well as to obtain additional relevant VA medical records and conduct a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability decisions. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to this supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, prostate hypertrophy, hypertension, and a back disability were denied. The claims for increased ratings for depression and onychomycosis of both hands, as well as TDIU prior to February 6, 2012, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure and service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be further developed before being reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, headaches, PTSD with cognitive disorder, and TBI. The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure in Vietnam and requests for additional evidence. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus and associated complications is on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw all his appeals except for the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that his current hypertension is not related to service, as there is no indication of any compensable hypertension until after discharge from service.,There is no indication that the Veteran's lung disability, including scarring, is related to service. His private medical records indicate he was diagnosed with COPD and tuberculosis, but do not suggest a connection to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at a local VA office. The case will not be decided on the merits until this hearing is scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities, and there was no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate another matter on appeal, specifically his left foot disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension due to exposure to Agent Orange, finding no positive association between herbicide exposure and hypertension. The claim was remanded for further examination regarding the secondary service connection with PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as his heart disease and hypertension, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show an injury, disease, or event pertaining to these conditions in service, nor was there continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and special monthly compensation need to be remanded due to incomplete evaluations and the need for additional medical examinations.