Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his use of alcohol to alleviate symptoms of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services during his hospitalization at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital from July 31, 2014 to August 13, 2014 are now covered by VA. The Board found that VA facilities were not feasibly available for the inpatient rehabilitation treatment he required.

The Board has remanded the case due to further development being needed, including verifying service dates and affording the Veteran VA examination(s). The appeal is now pending again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected low back strain and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knee. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and right shoulder disability were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty service. The conditions preexisted his military service, and there is no evidence to support a finding of aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and the AOJ is asked to consider this evidence in their readjudication of the claim.

The Veteran's ocular hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The gastrointestinal disability and PTSD claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of an SOC and further development, including review of the issues related to service connection. The claim for the left leg radiculopathy will be deferred until the intertwined issues are resolved or prepared for appellate consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not develop during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to exposure to herbicides in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including urinary incontinence and hypertension with history of mitral valve prolapse, do not preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, loss of vision, an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a back condition, and an effective date earlier than July 22, 2014, for the award of service connection for a back condition are being remanded.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain private treatment records from hospitals in Ortonville, Minnesota and Milbank, South Dakota where the Veteran received care for hypertension. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of service treatment records and need for further examination regarding left hand disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his hypertension is related to military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected psychiatric disorders, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. As a result, the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension, including its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus, PTSD, or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease will be remanded.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal on all issues related to service connection for ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, and high blood pressure or hypertension.