Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. The claim for PTSD is reopened, but further evidence is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertensive heart disease, hypertension, and migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent for the former issue and 10 percent for the latter two issues. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met or nearly approximated in all cases.

The Board has remanded the case for an examination and etiology opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his period of service or is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, as well as whether it is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran also requested a hearing on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and OPM records, and scheduling a VA examination for the right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are being remanded for additional development to determine their etiology, including whether they are related to service-connected disabilities or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for hypercholesterolemia, an allergy to IV contrast material, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or due to radiation exposure. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any current disability related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of a statement of the case on his GSW residuals claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for heart disease and hypertension due to incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide copies of any private treatment records from Dr. A.S. and Dr. K.N.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inaccurate histories used in previous opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims for respiratory disability, hypertension, and bilateral knee disabilities are being reviewed with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, along with other disabilities, precludes him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. However, his other service-connected conditions do not individually or in combination render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination(s), scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus, and any identified complications, and requesting SSA disability determination(s).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension and diabetes mellitus did not begin during or within one year after his active duty service, nor were they caused by or permanently increased in severity by his service-connected sleep apnea. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for hypertension, service connection for residuals of a low back injury and erectile dysfunction, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their relationship to his other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 1998 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD. The hypertension issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits was denied as the preponderance of evidence did not support his contention that he is permanently and totally disabled due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further action.