Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, which is not service-connected. The underlying causes of hypertension and interstitial lung disease are also not service-connected on a presumptive basis due to Agent Orange exposure. Diabetes mellitus, while presumed service-connected, did not contribute to the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Capital Regional Medical Center on September 6, 2012 is denied as the condition was not an emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer and related conditions are presumed to be due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board also finds it is at least as likely as not that these conditions have caused or contributed to his other diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to unclear reasoning and failure to consider a June 2004 decision granting another veteran entitlement to disability benefits for diabetes mellitus resulting from herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted an initial noncompensable rating for hypertension, but found that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference hearing before the Board. The case will be rescheduled at the Beckley VA Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or stroke that is related to service, and therefore, denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether his hypertension is related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his private medical records, including those from Dr. Calin Badea and Winn Army Community Hospital.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the appellant's hypertension and his military service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The lung disability claim is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and essential thrombocythemia are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of his back condition, hypertension, and insomnia. The claims file must be updated with any VA treatment records since April 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted. Dental treatment is also provided.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, including VA Vocational Rehabilitation folder/records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated private treatment records and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, and service connection for a headache disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for elevated hypertension were covered by VA as they met the criteria for emergency treatment in a non-VA facility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection, as they are not shown to be related to his active military service or due to radiation exposure. The claims have been denied.