Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD, and another VA examination to assess whether his current hypertension was caused or aggravated by herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right eye glaucoma, and left eye glaucoma were granted. However, service connection was denied for ulcer disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and high blood pressure due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his TBI and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining travel orders and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder (to include hypertension) is related to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension are granted as service connected based on direct evidence of a current disability, with no presumption of exposure to herbicides or other agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his skin disorder and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left oophorectomy, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being considered based on new and material evidence.

The Board has decided that the claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a low back injury, cardiovascular disability, and hypertension need further development due to incomplete records and requires additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's conceded herbicide exposure caused any disability that contributed to or hastened his death. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and therefore grants a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records for the Veteran's low back disorder, asthma, hypertension, and vision disorder. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining these records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as there is no prior informal or formal claim found in the record, and the liberalizing regulation providing presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease (which includes coronary artery disease) did not apply to his case.

The Veteran's status-post thoracolumbar strain is rated at 20 percent, effective January 25, 2013. His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent, also effective January 25, 2013. Hypertension remains rated as noncompensably disabling prior to January 25, 2013 and 10 percent thereafter.