Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, a right knee disorder, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for osteoporosis has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for the thoracic spine disability and major depressive disorder remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory, skin, and hypertension disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's periods of service and scheduling VA examinations to determine if any claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and is not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), restless leg syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA medical opinions and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the representation withdrawing the appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected PTSD. The AOJ must obtain new opinions from VA examiners considering all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion was reopened and granted. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), is found to be related to his active service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of the 2006 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Update regarding hypertension and Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied as there was no evidence linking the Veteran's hypertension to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, including acute right heart failure, acute respiratory failure, acute kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, and possible pneumonia. None of these conditions are service-connected or presumed to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 8, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he was incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, a heart disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, ED, hip disabilities, prostate disorder, inguinal hernia, headaches, hypertension, hoarseness, heart disease, and GERD. The decisions are based on secondary service connection due to herbicide exposure.