Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will handle any further development as required.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension and low back disability claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of his conditions. The cervical spine rating claim is also remanded for a new examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's appeals of the claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes, and the claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae have been dismissed. The appeal of the claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is also dismissed.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's hypertension and cerebrovascular accident with hemiparesis of the left upper and lower extremities are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities. The respiratory disorder is not linked to asbestos exposure or other toxic chemicals in service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the passage of time and the need for updated medical evaluations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings will be reconsidered after all new evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain private medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is found to be related to his service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence in remission is rated at 70 percent, effective December 4, 2014. Service connection for hypertension secondary to his service-connected PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been granted. The claims for hypertension, GERD, and renal insufficiency remain pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, either as a result of her active duty service or as secondary to her service-connected hypertension. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA medical records and possibly additional opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to service-connected conditions and/or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a medical opinion addressing the likely etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran was presumed exposed to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence fails to establish a connection between his current hypertension and his military service, secondary to any service-connected disability, or due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. For PTSD, the Veteran has been rated at 70 percent since June 2012 based on symptoms including reliving experiences, insomnia, mistrust, hypervigilance, avoidance, numbness, and feelings of alienation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's TIA and hypertension are found to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits has been denied as he does not meet the criteria of being permanently and totally disabled from non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death and entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of legal merit, as the Veteran was not in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation at the total disability level continuously for 10 years immediately preceding his death.