Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an in-person hearing before the Board at the Pittsburgh RO due to a request change from videoconference to in-person hearing.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is found to be etiologically related to his military service. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and low back disability, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims, and that there was no link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of his scheduled VA examinations and hearing, which may have resulted in a lack of consideration of his claims. The case is being remanded to allow for rescheduling these missed appointments and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, and thus does not warrant service connection.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and nephrotic syndrome, finding that there is no medical evidence linking current hypertension to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service and the Board has granted service connection. The claim for hypertension remains pending as there are no conclusive findings or opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and neck disability. The evidence submitted since the last denial supports a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for hearings as requested. The claims will be returned to the Board after these hearings are conducted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a respiratory disability. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension are related to his service-connected postoperative deviated septum, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The issues of service connection and reopening claims remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated secondary disabilities (eye disability, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and kidney disability) due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss as a result of in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim, finding that her residential facility provides necessary custodial care and thus all unreimbursed fees paid to this facility are deductible medical expenses for the purpose of calculating her countable income towards nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU benefits based on the evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.