Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus but declined to reopen the claim of hypertension on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear dates of onset and initial diagnosis for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion as the current VA examinations are inadequate to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including Paget's disease, hypertension, prostate disability, bladder disability, erectile dysfunction, and breathing problems, are not service-connected as they are not related to in-service Agent Orange or asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, including those presumed to be related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was a stroke, with hypertension and chronic kidney disease as significant conditions contributing to death.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are found to be aggravated by his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. He is granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and his initial rating for acromegaly with prominent brow; broad nose and chin; large fingers to include left thumb calcification and tendonitis; large broad feet; left ventricle hypertrophy with mitral regurgitation associated with scar, status post left breast mass and pituitary gland is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an acquired right eye disorder, an acquired left eye disorder, and a sinus disorder based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The issues of recurrent TBI residuals and recurrent chemical exposure residuals are also inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected organic mood disorder aggravates her hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder other than a systolic murmur, including CAD and hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected systolic heart murmur. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for a systolic heart murmur was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals were denied in various stages, including for a right eye disability, hypertension, and PTSD. The claims for bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, and left foot plantar wart were also addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and clarification of private audiological examinations. The issues of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and PTSD are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's PTSD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were all denied initial evaluations higher than the assigned ratings. The appeal is for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to service or any other condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or made worse by his service-connected PTSD with depression. The lumbar spine disability is denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his causes of death to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected, and the other conditions have not been linked to his military service.