Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Daytona Beach VAMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), erectile dysfunction (ED), and hypertension are all attributable to service. The conditions were presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and addressing the collective impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his disability picture.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest within a year of separation from service or is otherwise related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The issues of service connection for hypertension and heart disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure of predominantly 160 or more, and does not require continuous medical for control. Therefore, the criteria for a compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an opinion on whether hypertension is related to in-service herbicide exposure. Another VA examination is also needed to determine if the diagnosed anxiety disorder was aggravated by service. The Veteran should be provided a VA examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to herbicide exposure or PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was not shown during his period of active duty and the VA examiners found no link between the condition and military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not incurred during or due to his military service, and there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between his claimed conditions and his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% from June 1, 2009 through September 29, 2010. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities is granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to September 29, 2010 is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction have been granted service connection effective August 5, 2009.,An initial 10 percent rating for hypertension is assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete STRs and for a medical opinion regarding hypertension. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, hepatitis C, and hypertension are all at issue.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is found to be etiologically related to his active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran's hypertension may be permanently worsened by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was entitled to a TDIU as of November 27, 2007, based on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service symptoms of snoring and difficulty breathing during sleep.

The Board found that the cause of death (cerebrovascular accident with hypertension) was not related to service and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the claims for service connection for hypertension and cerebrovascular accident.