Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have materially contributed to his death, which was caused by coronary pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether hypertension is related to service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claim remains pending and will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and were not shown to be attributable to his period of service. The appeal was denied as there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or hypertension in service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and the Board has requested an opinion on whether his PTSD or diabetes mellitus may have aggravated his hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for Hypertension (HTN). The Veteran's HTN is not secondary to his service-connected Diabetes Mellitus (DM) or Agent Orange exposure. As such, the claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiovascular accident, which is claimed as a stroke, was caused by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension has been consistently below the criteria for a higher rating, and thus an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, as well as whether his service-connected conditions caused or aggravated this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran does not have hypertension or a heart disorder other than rheumatic valvular heart disease that is related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is currently pending. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner regarding whether his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his hepatitis C was not caused by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and hypertension due to issues with effective dates and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a head injury to include headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.