Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen service connection for hypertension, left Achilles tendon disorder, right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and low back disorder. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish that he met the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, eye disability (presbyopia), or nosebleeds. His hypertension was found to have its onset in service and is presumed to be related to his military service. The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are considered direct service-connected based on their manifestation during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee disability was withdrawn. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension and found that new and material evidence had not been presented. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service dates need clarification and additional medical examinations are required to determine if his current disabilities were incurred or aggravated during periods of active duty, inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), or reserve component service. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension is also being remanded.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 31, 2011 to November 3, 2011 are granted as the treatment was for a condition of such nature that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his life or health.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty and denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to flattened affect, panic attacks, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and TBI are etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran does not have hearing loss that is related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, colon polyps, and enlarged prostate were denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and the Veteran's claim of secondary service connection for an eye disorder. The decision is final as it was issued in 2007, and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims.

The Board is remanding the case to ensure a complete record and readjudicate the claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and residuals of a fracture of the right fifth finger.

The Board is denying the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and hypertension.,The Veteran filed a claim for service connection for 'nerves' in March 1971, which encompassed PTSD. The RO denied this claim by letter in August 1971.