Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The case will be remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner or another appropriate physician, based on full consideration of all relevant facts and evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for immune thrombocytic purpura, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension are being remanded due to outstanding STRs not being available. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are not service-connected and do not warrant a compensable rating.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as the evidence does not establish that it began during or was caused by active duty service.,Service connection for a heart disability (claimed as atherosclerosis) is denied due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for chronic kidney dysfunction and polyuria claimed to be due to nephrectomy occurring at a VA facility is denied because informed consent was present, and there is no proximate cause of the disability from the procedure.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a back disability claimed to be due to nephrectomy occurring at a VA facility is denied as the Veteran's condition did not result from the procedure.

The Veteran's brain tumor and hypertension were not found to be related to service or due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within a presumptive period, and is unrelated to his in-service shoulder injury. The medical evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for hypertension, nor can it be established as secondary to PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed heart condition.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his bilateral knee, back, and pes planus disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II. The case is therefore REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active service in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to conduct further research and provide additional information before making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for VA reimbursement of private medical expenses from September 9, 2011 is denied as he did not meet the legal requirements for such benefits under applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher initial rating is denied.,The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic UTIs/prostatitis are not related to his active service or as secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to address the Veteran's PTSD medication and its relationship to hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, major depression, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bladder dysfunction, right shoulder arthritis, allergic rhinitis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension to obtain an addendum opinion that addresses whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to October 14, 2010 did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection.