Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his service-connected GAD/depression. Service connection for GAD/depression is granted with an effective date of June 22, 2007, and a rating of 50 percent. The right knee disability is rated as 20 percent from the initial grant of service connection on June 21, 2012, to January 31, 2014, and as 70 percent beginning February 1, 2014. Service connection for GAD/depression is granted with an effective date of February 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing issue and will be returned for further action.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as secondary to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and/or peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a vaginal disorder (recurrent yeast infections). The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service, but the Board found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for his vaginal disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from an outside clinic. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and information regarding his employment status.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for hypertension was withdrawn. The effective date of the increased rating for hypertension is set at December 4, 2009.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and poor circulation of the legs. The claims are being remanded to complete necessary development regarding exposure to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for erectile dysfunction is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, left knee disability, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current service-connected condition for hypertension or any other conditions related to the issues raised.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and remanded it for further development. The original denial was based on a finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted, but now the issue is being reconsidered.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), headaches, depression, left upper extremity numbness, right upper extremity numbness, and transient ischemic attack. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted, and his claim for service connection of hypertension was reopened.,PTSD is linked to the Veteran's verified in-service stressor as a mortician in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not aggravated by his second period of active duty service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Veteran's migraine headache disorder was also not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to active service. The Board also determined that it was not proximately due to, caused by, or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new examination to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and cold injury residuals of the bilateral lower extremities materially contributed to his death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and acute myocardial infarction as contributing causes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to his military service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a video conference hearing with a third Veterans Law Judge.