Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for labyrinthitis, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, bilateral glaucoma and cataracts (claimed as eye disorder), type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction (ED), and coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment in the amount of $1,046.00 due to financial hardship and undue economic hardship resulting from recovery.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were not incurred in service or related to his active duty. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and specifically denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA medical examination to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding whether his hypertension is related to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted increased initial ratings of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability since September 20, 2013 and 20 percent for both right and left ankle disabilities since September 20, 2013. The Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar warts have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected knee and back disabilities, nor can it be established as a direct result of his military service. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and myoma of the uterus are granted, but hypertension is not addressed as it is unclear whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and hypertension was denied as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus (DM). The Board found no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, and thus could not establish a nexus between DM and the claimed conditions.

The Veteran died of atrial fibrillation due to hypertension, and the evidence does not support direct service connection for these conditions.,VA determined that the appellant is not eligible for burial benefits as her net worth was a bar to entitlement.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service treatment records and for obtaining VA treatment records.

The appellant's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815 and § 1805 is denied as she does not have a diagnosis of spina bifida, her mother did not serve in Vietnam, and the law precludes her from receiving these benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin disorder, and left shoulder disorder are granted as they are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, renal cell carcinoma and partial nephrectomy of left kidney, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, significantly impair his ability to work. The Board finds that these disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's throat disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension prior to October 2, 2014 has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current extent and severity of his left ankle disability and an opinion on whether hypertension is related to service.