Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, claiming it is related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The VA has not conceded a relationship between hypertension and Agent Orange exposure but acknowledges there may be an association.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's hypertension and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, as he served on a ship that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam. His diabetes mellitus type II is also presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during service, and there is no evidence of a relationship to his military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and hypertension have been granted service connection. For the period prior to March 22, 2011, she is entitled to a compensable rating for her hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and supraventricular pulmonic stenosis are related to his presumed in-service exposure to Agent Orange, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed related to his service, but the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not due to herbicide exposure. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection.,There is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between his in-service herbicide exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant or financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the cause and aggravation of his hypertension by service-connected PTSD or other disabilities. Additionally, a supplemental statement of the case must be issued addressing the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused by service, exposure to herbicides, or a service-connected disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence of a hernia disability being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a new VA examination for his left knee disability and issuing supplemental statements of the case addressing all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete or insufficient opinions from the VA examiners regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability, hypertension, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and treatment records. The VA examiner will provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed GERD and insomnia.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, hypertension, and/or diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.