Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, emphysema, bronchitis, genitourinary disability, eye infections, and hypertension are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation is 100 percent from November 1, 1995. The Board has granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its clinical onset during his active service and grants the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and verifying the exact dates of his National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he has passed away.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and heart disability (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) as the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year of discharge, and there was no evidence that they were caused by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is currently service-connected for several disabilities, but the Board finds that a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management is not necessary for him to obtain or maintain employment in his chosen field.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, low back injury, vertigo, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's melanoma is at least as likely as not related to service exposure, granting service connection for this condition. Service connection was denied for hypertension and respiratory disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. His conditions are currently rated as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus is due to his herbicide exposure in service, and therefore grants service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The hypertension claim will be remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his right shoulder disability, the nature and etiology of his right knee disorder, and the nature and etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, respiratory problems, and depression with anxiety prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran died from anoxic brain injury due to aspiration of vomit while under the influence of multiple medications taken for chronic pain, which as likely as not resulted from service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The Board finds that service connection is granted for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, low back disability, hypertension and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case is inextricably intertwined with the reopening of a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining when the appellant was on active duty for training. The appeal is currently in a pending status.