Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, bilateral knee disability, chloracne, high cholesterol, lumbar spine disability (Degenerative Disc Disease), hydrocephalus, and benign prostatic hypertrophy are all denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition or link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new opinion on service connection for hypertension and retrieving any relevant private medical records. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection and increased rating are pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in an August 2014 statement.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his period of active service.,The Veteran has hypertension that began in April 2005, which is within the presumptive period for hypertension due to military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension and patellar tendonitis of the right knee with degenerative arthritis have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate reasons or bases in its prior decision and because of a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic heart condition, including as due to exposure to herbicides in service. The Veteran's death was also considered and service connection for cause of death was granted.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted, with hypertension being considered a contributory cause.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between PTSD and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's post-service hypertension arose in service or is otherwise related to service, to include the hemorrhagic fever in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis B and associated disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, back disability (including arthritis), left knee disability (including arthritis), and right knee disability (including arthritis) were denied. Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease with a 60% rating, PTSD with a 50% rating, diabetes mellitus type II with a 20% rating, and chest scar with a 10% rating from April 24, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have soft tissue sarcoma and denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes. The claim is remanded for further development.

Service connection granted for right leg shin splints. Service connection denied for left eye irritation with corneal abrasion, upper respiratory infection, and hypertension.,The Veteran's right leg shin splints are likely related to service, but his left eye irritation is not.

The Board found that the February 1994 rating decision denying service connection for hypertension, left lower extremity weakness, low back pain, hearing loss, cervical spine disability, depressive disorder, and headaches was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's cause of death included respiratory disorders, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The Board found no in-service injury or disease resulting in permanent disability.

The Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset in service, was not exhibited within the first post-service year, and is not otherwise related to active duty or to a service connected disability. The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and preparing an addendum report by a qualified examiner to address the relationship between his hypertension and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to have begun during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's insomnia, depression and hypertension are related to his service-connected tinnitus. The claim is granted.