Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The skin disability claim is denied as there is no nexus between the current skin condition and active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertensive renal disease, status post myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure is rated at 100% disabling. His hypertension is currently evaluated as 10% disabling.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current diagnoses for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied as there is insufficient competent medical evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion from a VA examiner. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) for the loss of use of a creative organ will be deferred until further development of the inextricably intertwined issue is completed.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which the Board found to be at least as likely as not related to service and exposures therein. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension was denied as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominately 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or a history of such pressures without medication.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding whether his current condition is related to service or his service-connected schizophrenia. The Veteran needs to provide additional evidence and undergo further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an eye disorder claimed as the result of an undiagnosed illness, a sleep disorder claimed as the result of an undiagnosed illness, and hearing loss. The appeals are therefore remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for hypertension, a right knee disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder, as well as the claim to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a heart disorder and hypertension, as well as his PTSD claim for an increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence of ischemic heart disease or hypertension in service or within one year after separation from service. The Veteran was not diagnosed with ischemic heart disease during the appeal period.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and impotency/inability to have children. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate whether his hypertension is related to his diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of hypertension and thus the Veteran does not meet the first element required for service connection. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability, to include as due to herbicide exposure, did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to any incident during active service. The Veteran's hypertension was also denied based on lack of evidence linking it to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have any of the claimed conditions during service or within one year after separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to hazardous materials during service and whether any of these exposures could cause his current conditions, including diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus 2.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision, thus the case is dismissed.