Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cardiovascular disabilities.

The VA examiner found no conclusive evidence linking the Veteran's hypertension to his in-service Agent Orange exposure, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis and service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hypertension and his military service or herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and thus service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service. The heart condition (to include a heart murmur) is denied as there is no evidence of such disability during service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's heart disability and hypertension, as these conditions are not shown to be related to her active duty service.,While the Veteran claims that her heart disability and hypertension are secondary to her service-connected PTSD, MDD, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, there is no medical evidence or credible opinion supporting this claim.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the left great toe, a left ear hearing loss disability, and residuals of an infection of the right foot. Service connection was granted for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, as well as a VA examination to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his attorney.,The Veteran's attorney withdrew from representation and thus, all appeals are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a direct link to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions due to herbicide exposure during his service at Fort Knox Army base. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including verification of the Veteran's exposure and obtaining VA examinations or opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability, and assigned a 60% rating effective February 23, 2011. The gastrointestinal disorder claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset within one year of service discharge, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC based on aid and attendance. The evidence did not support a finding that his diabetes mellitus was related to service or his service-connected disabilities, nor did it show he needed regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 70 percent, including his service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, met the schedular criteria for a TDIU effective February 11, 2004. The issue is now moot as of April 20, 2016 when the Veteran's combined disability rating reached 100 percent.