Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding service connection for cardiovascular disability. The request to reopen a claim for major depression will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the cardiovascular disability issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have onset during active service, was not caused by his active service, and did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, it denied entitlement to service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for any conditions based on herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and eye disorder are denied as they are not related to active service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Veteran's actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis are related to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service.,Hypertension is not related to service, but may be secondary to PTSD. The cardiovascular disorder is also not related to service or secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension began during service and is therefore granted service connection. The low back disability and epistaxis claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's hypertension and stroke were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus (DM) and anxiety disorder. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and residuals of a left great toe amputation were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable VA rating schedule did not meet the requirements for any period on appeal.

The Board's October 1971 decision denying service connection for right wrist disability and hypertension is overturned due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Veteran's right wrist condition was found to have existed pre-service, but the Board incorrectly applied the presumption of soundness. His hypertension was not shown to be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during active service and was neither caused nor aggravated by her service-connected supraventricular tachycardia. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The issues of hypertension and epistaxis are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction have not met the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.,The Veteran is service-connected for his hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes. The evidence does not show that either condition meets the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing herbicide exposure during his service aboard the USS Constellation, and thus, he is not entitled to the presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and its complications. The appeal is currently in remand status due to the need to verify herbicide exposure during his service at U-Tapao Air Base.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, translating any identified documents, scheduling a VA audiological examination, and readjudicating the claim for increased evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for hypertension, headaches, bilateral tinnitus, hypothyroidism, and PTSD. The claims are based on secondary service connection in the case of hypertension and direct service connection for the other conditions.,Service connection is established for each condition listed above.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is at least as likely as not proximately due to his service-connected schizophrenia, and thus, service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis is granted.