Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cholelithiasis as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service.,Service connection was also denied due to a lack of evidence showing that any of these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left shoulder disorders in conjunction with the right knee disorder, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 19, 2011.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary insufficiency with angina pectoris due to congestive heart failure, which is linked to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected condition contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and GERD due to new evidence added since the last decision, as well as a need for VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and did not have its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The cases of hypertension, gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia, gastritis and GERD), and lupus erythematosus, discoid are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable since March 12, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and required continuous medication for control throughout the relevant rating period, meeting the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes were not incurred during service, are not related to any in-service event or injury, did not manifest within one year of service discharge, and are not secondary to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred during service, is not related to any in-service event or injury, did not manifest within one year of service discharge, and is not a Gulf War illness.

The Veteran's hypertension and low back injury with scoliosis and degenerative changes of thoracic spine are granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's hiatal hernia is granted a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected exposure to tactical herbicides, as well as whether this hypertension caused or aggravated his renal cell carcinoma.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding no evidence of onset or etiology in service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for equilibrium problems and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated with additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and sleep apnea for additional examinations to determine their relationship to service. The Veteran's bronchitis claim was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various medical conditions, including sleep disorder (including obstructive sleep apnea), hypertension, neurological disorders, and a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Board has determined that a VA opinion is required to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran served in Thailand and had active duty at U-Tapao Air Force Base, which places him within the special consideration for Vietnam Era Veterans.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The appeal is dismissed as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease. The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's claim for residuals from rib resection surgery was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostate disorder were denied as there is no link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder remains under remand for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's heart condition is remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is also remanded as the Veteran claims it was caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a new VA examination and opinion. Her increased ratings for neck and shoulder disabilities are also remanded due to the need for an assessment of flare-ups.