Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The evidence does not establish that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred or aggravated by service, including as due to a service-connected disability. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding a direct relationship between the condition and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not develop during service or within one year of discharge, and it is not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and a need to address certain issues.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, ED, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, migraines, and OSA are denied as the earliest possible effective date is August 16, 2009, the day following separation from active service.,Service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of October 28, 2009, based on a diagnosis within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as entitlement arose prior to that date.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current headache disability is service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his unit records and determine if he was exposed to herbicides during service. If exposure is confirmed, further development will be required.

The Veteran was seen for complaints of headaches following a head injury in service and has presented competent and credible evidence that those headaches have persisted since service.,It is as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service.

The Veteran's request for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD and exposure to herbicides, is being remanded due to the cancellation of his requested videoconference hearing. The appeal will be handled at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including scheduling a Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or exposure to hostile military activity. The diagnoses are not presumed due to the passage of time since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left eye visual problems, as well as hypertension, are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and PTSD due to incomplete VA treatment records, failure to notify of new PTSD provisions, and need for further opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, gout, and hypertension, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has determined that a hearing should be scheduled at the earliest opportunity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, claimed as secondary to a service-connected disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional records and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including verifying potential exposure to asbestos during service and addressing his claims concerning radiation exposure. The hypertension claim must also be addressed by the Under Secretary for Benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder and hypertension were denied. The claim to reopen a stomach disorder was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.