Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against the finding that any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability, to include depression, is etiologically related to any aspect of active service. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability must be denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated at a noncompensable level since July 8, 2009. The Board found that the criteria for an initial 10 percent disability rating have been more nearly approximated throughout the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and hypertension, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the relationship between his hypertension and symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue. Additionally, a notice of how to substantiate a claim for entitlement to TDIU will be provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and hepatitis C due to incomplete development of medical records, particularly from the Dallas VA Medical Center. The claims are now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, and vasospasm, did not develop in service or during his period of ACDUTRA. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation either.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for tension headaches prior to September 27, 2012; and entitlement to service connection for non-specific dermatitis, claimed as a skin rash; hypertension; insomnia, claimed as sleep deprivation disorder; left ankle osteoarthritis; right ankle osteoarthritis; and erectile dysfunction. The appeal of the issue of an effective date prior than August 20, 2003 for the grant of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and TDIU have been deferred due to the grant of combined 100% disability rating, but his diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and determine the appropriate disposition of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including clarification of his exposure to herbicide agents and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that hypertension is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hypertension contributed substantially or materially to his death from renal cell cancer, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes and hypertension did not manifest within one year of separation from service or are otherwise related to service. The residuals of a left little finger injury were rated as limited motion, but no compensable rating was granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and hypertension did not manifest during his period of active service, and there is no evidence of a continuity of symptoms. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected sarcoidosis, hypertension, and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including requesting service treatment records and addressing new evidence submitted by the appellant. The appeal is currently in a pending state.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have onset during active service, nor has it been established as a current disability. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence shows no connection between the Veteran's current hypertension and her military service.,Regarding the post-left TKA scar residuals, the preponderance of the evidence does not show any compensable level of impairment due to the residual scars.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.