Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, its relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and whether it is related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in service and is not otherwise the result of a disease or injury incurred in active service. The Veteran's blood pressure readings during service were generally within normal limits, except for one reading which was noted as 'elevated.'

The Board has remanded both issues for additional development and examination. The Veteran's cervical spine disability and hypertension are the primary claims under appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disability ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a comprehensive VA examination to assess the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on diastolic or systolic pressure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, asthma, and emphysema with bronchitis were not incurred or aggravated during service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran currently has any residuals of asbestos exposure, including headaches and shortness of breath, incurred in or related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, but granted his claims for erectile dysfunction and hypertension. The decision did not address his PTSD or provide a rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The Veteran's appeal includes claims related to various conditions and disabilities, including tinnitus, glaucoma, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, esotropia, diplopia, hearing loss, hypertension, GERD, and prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. For other conditions, including residuals of heat stroke and hypertension, additional medical examination and treatment records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and supraventricular tachycardia are not permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, these conditions were denied as secondary to diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and/or PTSD. The claim for service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, pes planus, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The claims for secondary service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and kidney disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to address these issues, and a statement of the case will be issued regarding the kidney disability claim.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during service and is denied. The initial ratings for right foot hallux valgus and left foot hallux valgus are also denied, as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. A temporary total rating for left foot hallux valgus surgery was granted but remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension have been granted, effective January 14, 2011. The Board has also remanded the issue of increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome and the reopening of previously denied service connection petitions.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2016.