Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and respiratory conditions due to inadequate examinations. The low back disorder claim is also being remanded as there are inconsistencies in the medical records regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Decision Review Officer.

The Veteran's conditions, including diabetes and its related complications, are not service connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection based on lack of evidence showing onset or causation in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for blindness, aphakia of the right eye, a nervous condition, tachycardia, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to any in-service events or conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was first manifest during active duty and the Board has determined that it had causal origins in service. The low back disability, sleep apnea, and lower respiratory disability are not currently decided.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records, as well as to complete VA examinations for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was rated at 40 percent from September 28, 2012, due to the need for regulation of activities as part of medical management. However, he did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization or twice monthly visits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as vocational rehabilitation records. He will also be scheduled for examinations related to his diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and glaucoma.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension (to include as due to diabetes mellitus Type II), or right knee disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension claims. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for residuals of a left arm injury due to an explosion and hypertension have been granted. The reduction in the rating for service-connected residual scarring of the right shoulder from 10 percent to noncompensable effective January 31, 2011 was not proper.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition, and consideration of whether it is related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. Further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for hypertension and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that hypertension was incurred in service or related to any other condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran was diagnosed with hypertension within one year of service separation and the condition is presumed to be service-connected.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for heart problems and aggravation of hypertension allegedly caused by VA treatment, specifically the prescription of Atripla for HIV.