Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and amputation of the right foot were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder, hypertension, mini-strokes, and peripheral neuropathy. The gastric disability claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and orthopedic conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since February 10, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU rating from that date.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus or due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be related to herbicide exposure or his diabetes condition. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, there is no current diagnosis of PTSD based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and addressing additional theories of entitlement raised by the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that these conditions are caused by his service-connected PTSD. The increased rating claim for PTSD is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is at least a 50% probability that the hypertension was caused by or aggravated by his diabetes.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her combined service-connected disabilities, which include migraines, radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, thoracolumbar levoscoliosis and herniated nucleus pulposus, hypertension, coccyx neuropathy, and a scar. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her combined service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, specifically his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to any period of active duty.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to the complexity of his claim, including its relationship to service-connected PTSD and presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during active duty, within one year of active duty, or otherwise was a result of active duty service. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran's right foot disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his hypertension is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides, and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The remaining issues have been referred for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not related to his service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that his current hypertension is due to his service.

The Veteran does not have current diabetes mellitus, type II or hypertension. The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension, service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and for a cardiovascular disorder, to include hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence supports that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his cardiovascular conditions.