Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case on several issues, including his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for LGV, service connection for hypertension, and bilateral knee disability are all denied.,There is no evidence of any service-connected condition that caused or aggravated the Veteran's current hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary embolism, systemic lupus erythematosus, and nephrotic syndrome have been asymptomatic throughout the pendency of this case.,As a result, no compensable ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for prostate disorder, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD and major depression were also granted. The Veteran's claims for stomach condition (claimed as a distended stomach), gingivitis, and gout were denied. Initial ratings greater than 60 percent prior to July 22, 2008, for coronary artery disease (CAD) were granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for Parkinson's disease based on herbicide exposure is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a scar of the right lower leg is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran incurred a scar during active duty and it is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure or a service-connected disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, restless leg syndrome, prostate cancer, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's death was within the one-year period during which he could have filed a notice of disagreement (NOD) for his claims. However, no NOD was filed and the appellant did not file any documents indicating an intent to appeal or disagree with the September 2011 rating decision prior to her husband's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional information and records.

The Veteran's hypertension, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability were not found to be related to service or any in-service injury. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension or left ventricular hypertrophy (chest pain) that is proximately due to or the result of his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, a low back disorder, and hypertension due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service. The gastrointestinal disability claim is also denied.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claim for service connection of hypertension. The Board has ordered additional development as requested by the appellant, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1991 to 2001.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his ACDUTRA service did not qualify him for the ALS presumption. The Board denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and a bilateral foot disorder was denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or that they are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Specifically, new examinations are required to address whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and he is now considered unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his military service and this condition. The claims for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension remain pending as new and material evidence has been received.