Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension with renal insufficiency and microalbuminuria was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining clarifying opinions from a VA physician regarding the Veteran's hypertension and whether his bladder cancer was of service origin.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection for the cause of his death. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's heart disease, including hypertension and CAD, was not shown to have been present in military service or many years thereafter.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder has not been shown to be causally related to his active service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's excision of anal fissure and hemorrhoidectomy is not productive of occasional involuntary bowel movements, necessitating the use of a pad.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted a compensable initial disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension, effective January 29, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and/or medications used to treat that condition.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities as likely as not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no valid diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.

The Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected PTSD. The Board grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The reduction in hypertension rating from 10 to 0 percent was upheld due to clear error.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to substantiate his claims of service connection for Hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, coronary artery disease, stomach problems, and a skin disorder, all of which were found to be less likely as not caused by or related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC. The Court affirmed these decisions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a claim for service connection for PTSD prior to August 17, 2009. Therefore, an effective date earlier than August 17, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims and granted them, with some issues receiving staged ratings. The effective date for the award of PTSD is set at April 9, 2007.

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including coronary artery disease and dilated cardiomyopathy, are being remanded for additional development as the current VA examination is insufficient to adjudicate the claim on appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service, including herbicide exposure. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding VA medical records.