Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and earlier effective dates for service connection were denied.,An effective date of March 31, 2010 was assigned for the grant of service connection for hypertension.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's left foot disorder and hypertension were not found to be related to service, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of such assistance.

The Veteran's heart disease, hypertension, and lung and respiratory disorders were not service-connected. The cause of death was due to septic shock with underlying causes of exacerbation of COPD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his active service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board is remanding the case to provide a VA examination and address whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, or coronary artery disease, as well as whether it was aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension with hyperkalemia, headaches, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's right knee condition and left knee condition are not considered incurred in or aggravated by service. Service connection for head injury is denied.

The Board found that there is no separate disability manifested by chest pain for which VA benefits can be granted. Regarding hypertension, the Veteran's condition was shown to have been present prior to his period of service and clearly and unmistakably did not worsen during his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed as part of the merits review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during service, and therefore, his claims for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, multiple myeloma, and hypertension are denied as they are not presumed to be related to such exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran prior to certification to the Board. The case will be returned to the RO for consideration of this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's causes of death, including heart and pulmonary disease, were proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and cold injury residuals. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound, lumbar spine disorder, and hypertension are not supported by the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found that there was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in service, no chronic symptoms of these conditions during or immediately after service, and insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies, including the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing additional evidence added to the record since the most recent statements of the case or supplemental statements of the case.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of anthrax vaccine, finding that the Veteran's claim was not supported by sufficient evidence to reopen her previously denied claims.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional medical opinions, and the TDIU claim must be issued a SOC.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA/privately obtained treatment records.