Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no new and material evidence. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or chloracne, nor is diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), skin disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, both linked to Agent Orange exposure, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy claims, as well as an initial rating for folliculitis. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran died of renal failure due to diabetes mellitus, type II, dementia/Alzheimer's disease, and hypertension. The Board found no service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, which was continuously treated with medication and had a history of diastolic pressure predominantly at or above 100, more nearly approximated the criteria for a 10 percent initial disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. The appeal is granted for this period.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and high cholesterol. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.,Service connection was denied for hypertension due to lack of a nexus to service. Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol because there was no underlying disability shown.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service connected as it is more likely than not a result of his fall during service, which did not include any neck injury. The Veteran also does not have evidence to support the claim that his current condition is secondary to his service-connected back disability.,Beginning from March 2, 2004, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with L5 spondylolysis and T5 vertebral fracture has been rated at 60 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Reserve records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50% disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective April 5, 2014, based on his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of these conditions meets the criteria for a TDIU as of July 31, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain and/or fracture, low back pain, tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and diverticulitis. The reasons provided were that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the available records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to lack of verification of claimed stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral ankle disorder, arthritis of hands, and hypertension will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by pulmonary hypertension, but the Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.