Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with anxiety, vertigo, GERD, and hypertension. The decision also found that referral for extraschedular consideration of bilateral hearing loss was not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypothyroidism and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability. Service connection for both conditions is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant lacks qualifying service with the Armed Forces and is ineligible for any award of VA compensation benefits, including reopening a service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection claims for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and neuropathy of the lower extremities are also denied as a matter of law.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) and hypertension. The Veteran's cold injury residuals are linked to his service, while the acquired psychiatric disabilities and hypertension do not appear to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate VCAA notice regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is manifested by the need for continuous medication for control and a history of diastolic pressure of 100 or more. A disability rating of 10 percent, but not higher, has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension. The case is now remanded for further development and readjudication of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's left below the knee amputation (BKA) is rated as 60% disabling, effective January 11, 2007.,Hypertension is currently rated at 10%, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10%. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing. The claims of increased evaluations and effective date are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his period of active service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and atrial fibrillation are granted service connection as they were caused by his service-connected diabetes. The cause of the Veteran's death (congestive heart failure) is also granted service connection due to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, DM, a heart condition, erectile dysfunction, an eye disorder, and a kidney condition. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disability during service or for many years after service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure, or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the failure to obtain VA treatment records from the Bonham/Dallas VAMC.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further development and readjudication.