Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his combined disability rating is at least 40% and he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a thorough search of her file under all of her names. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and hypertension are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for sleep apnea has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PVCs was denied as no new and material evidence had been received since his last denial in December 2009. The earliest application to reopen the claim was filed on October 26, 2010.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service and cannot be granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disability. The reasons provided include lack of a nexus to service or evidence of continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, and the case is being remanded to address hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension or erectile dysfunction, as there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence and a negative nexus opinion from the VA examiner. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not support secondary service connection.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied, and the claim for VA burial benefits is also denied as it is not timely filed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or any period of herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that there are missing private and VA outpatient treatment records pertinent to the Veteran's claims. The case is REMANDED for obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. The claim for hypertension is granted, but a rating assignment is pending as there was no current disability found at the time of examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records for hypertension, as this information is necessary to properly adjudicate his claim. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD and uncontrolled hypertension, which were service-connected, aided in causing his death from a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in either case, and his symptoms were adequately addressed by the existing ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and stroke residuals due to incomplete development, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the requirements for service connection for his hyperthyroidism, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence is insufficient to provide an examination for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus grants service connection for hypertension secondary to coronary artery disease.