Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, while his hypertension is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure during service.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and hypertension, is denied as there is no evidence of a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to have been incurred in service or due to exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression and PTSD), hypertension, and headache disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension, which is presumed to be due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The issue of whether the hypertension is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's PTSD, glaucoma, hypertension, and prostate condition claims due to worsening symptoms and need for updated medical examinations. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder (claimed as a heart attack), and hypertension were denied. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II and type I diabetes, bilateral hand disability, low back disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and neurological disorder of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's claims for increased rating for onychomycosis and dental disorder are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether her service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension is service connected due to Agent Orange exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension are not related to his service-connected asthma, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing notice regarding his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish that it is related to active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied because there is no evidence of its onset in or within one year after service and it is not linked to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent since the appeal period began, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Effective March 3, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for her cervical spine disorder due to worsening symptoms. She does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on ankylosis or favorable ankyloses of the entire cervical spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins was granted. The claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities, as well as his hypertension, are at least as likely as not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip pain, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability are not service-connected as they did not begin during or were not caused by his military service.