Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure and sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, with the exception of hypertension. The Board found that the Veteran did not have sleep apnea based on his lack of diagnosis in the medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during or as a result of her active military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to service or herbicide exposure. His PTSD claim was not substantiated by evidence of a diagnosed condition. Bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was found to be etiologically related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin, including to his service-connected pain and adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her hypertension and PCOS did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria. The Board also found no evidence of a back disorder or heart disorder incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service treatment records and to schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and hypertension are found to be related to service, granting the claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding hypertension and kidney dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of multiple joints and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 5, 2013.

The Board finds that the Veteran's emergency room visit was for an acute medical condition, and affords her the benefit of doubt in finding a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous. Therefore, payment or reimbursement is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain all pertinent treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination for his claimed disabilities. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection are related to secondary herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.

The Veteran does not have a current hair loss disorder, and the Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension and eye disability were not found to be related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD/emphysema and found that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for tuberculosis, a bilateral knee disability, and erectile dysfunction are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA), and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records and examinations.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of SMC at the rate equal to subsection (m) based on the loss of use of both legs due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities with additional disability (service-connected bronchial asthma) independently ratable as 100 percent disabling from August 20, 2009. The Veteran's claims for higher levels of SMC under 38 C.F.R. � 3.350(f)(3) and 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(o) have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, acid reflux disease, and service connection for cardiac disability and erectile dysfunction. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for these purposes.