Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, or hypertension that was incurred or aggravated in service. The claim for vision disorder is denied as it did not develop during service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as obtaining relevant medical records from SSA and VA.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle, knee, hip, wrist, and elbow disabilities have been withdrawn.,Service connection is being remanded for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hypertension was rated at 10%, kidney stones at 10%, and the right thumb at noncompensable. The appeal is remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not due to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for hypertension and a heart condition, which were previously remanded by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's high cholesterol is not a compensable disability for which service connection can be granted, as it is merely a laboratory finding. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for left Achilles tendon rupture repair with scar and hypertension are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise related to his active service. The Board also determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and/or residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to or the result of the service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension was considered essential in nature, and less likely than not caused by or related to his PTSD/anxiety or treatment for such.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not originate in service or until years after service, is not otherwise etiologically related to service, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder. The evidence is evenly balanced enough to allow application of the benefit-of-the-doubt rule as required by law and VA regulations, but it does not support granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether his diabetes mellitus has aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, hypertension, skin disorder, and arthritis were not shown to be related to his military service or due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to scheduling issues for a video conference hearing. His claims for increased rating, initial compensable evaluation, and service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, but granted service connection for hypertensive heart disease. Other claims were either not addressed or denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 10, 2012 were reimbursed as the emergency treatment was provided for a service-connected disability (chronic kidney disease and heart problems).

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD, PTSD, and panic disorder, is found to be related to his military service. His coronary artery disease and hypertension are also found to be related to his military service.