Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for RLS, hypertension, diabetes, stroke residuals, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not sufficiently incapacitate him to prevent substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, anemia, and hypertension are found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service or to a pre-existing condition. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to December 15, 2011 was denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of relevant medical records.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension and a visual disability. The Veteran's hypertension is currently at issue, as well as his visual disability in his left eye. Additional development is required due to the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest in service or within one year of separation, and thus denied service connection for hypertension. The claim for sinusitis is pending and will be addressed after a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no effective date earlier than August 29, 2000, for the grant of service connection for hypertension could be established.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of current heart murmur or hypertension during the appeal period, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient verification of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and a need for further development, including an examination regarding hypertension if exposure is verified.

The Board found that the Veteran did not demonstrate hypertension during service or within one year after service, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's eye disabilities, including cataracts in both eyes, are not service-connected as they are less likely than not caused by or permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The hypertension claim is remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service or within one year of service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his military service, to include his service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, and he also contends that his PTSD with depression caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and/or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.