Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of diabetes mellitus, type II; heart condition; hypertension; and cancer of the kidneys were not incurred in or related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, chloracne, and coral burns with infection to the elbows. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or other chemical agents.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not attributable to service, including his presumed herbicide agent exposure. The right leg disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were also denied as they are not related to service.

Service connection for GERD was granted in January 2016, but the appeal is dismissed as moot.,The Board found that hypertension was not incurred during service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge. Service connection on a secondary basis was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for arthritis due to herbicide exposure, hypertension, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50% prior to August 1, 2009, and denied in excess of 70% from March 7, 2012.,TDIU was denied prior to August 1, 2009. TDIU was also denied after March 7, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow disability is related to service, but his hypertension is not. The right elbow condition was diagnosed as arthritis and linked to a fall in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and, therefore, is not entitled to presumptive service connection for any conditions based on herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for various disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment for hypertension during active duty and that any isolated elevated blood pressure readings were not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for left knee arthritis and hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete VA examination opinions. The Board will seek additional opinions from VA physicians to determine if the conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is due to herbicide exposure during service, specifically Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to any in-service events.

The Board has remanded the case to allow for consideration of an extraschedular rating due to combined effects of multiple service-connected disabilities and marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disorder and hypertension were not shown to be related to service, including any in-service asbestos exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.,While the Veteran has a current diagnosis of hypertension dating back to approximately 2002, there is no medical opinion linking this condition to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was remanded by the Board due to insufficient medical information regarding his employability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding records, provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit evidence, and arrange for a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left knee disability, as it did not meet the criteria for an increase in disability beyond what was already assigned. His skin disorder, right claw foot, and hypertension were also not supported by the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's high blood pressure and pericarditis are not related to service, and have denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure all relevant documents are associated with his electronic claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, and IBS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of hypertension, service connection for mild renal insufficiency and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The effective date is pending further action.