Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, bilateral cataracts, and a sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle ligament tear with residuals and granted service connection for patella spurring of the right and left knees, but denied an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; a right shoulder disability; bilateral hearing loss; degenerative disc disease; and hypertension from appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability and hypertension, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction (ED). The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service. The other claims are not addressed as they were not adjudicated by the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's dental disability, manifested by periodontal disease, bleeding gums, and loss of teeth, is not a compensable disability for which VA compensation may be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for diabetes or hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes and hypertension were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD, as well as his requests to reopen the claim for hypertension, were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the hypertension claim, and that a disability rating in excess of 30 percent was not warranted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arthritis of the knees, bilateral foot condition, asthma, melanoma, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy involving all four extremities has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin in service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, PTSD as well as presumed in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, as his cause of death was due to chronic edema/venous stasis and immobility from arthritis. The service-connected disabilities did not play a material role in causing his death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the remaining claims, including heart conditions other than ischemic heart disease (IHD), erectile dysfunction, and COPD secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.,The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, which are conceded by VA. He also seeks service connection for pneumonia residuals, digestive disability (claimed as food poisoning), hypertension, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for pneumonia residuals, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension and sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of pneumonia, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension and sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by her active duty military service, and did not develop within one year of her separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and anxiety to service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during active military service, resulting in the grant of service connection for these conditions.