Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's skin disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II, and his military service. The conditions are determined to be related to periods of inactive duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% due to total occupational and social impairment. Service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular disability (Congestive Heart Failure), and lumbar spine disability are denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for gout, CVA with right hemiparesis, and migraine headaches as secondary to hypertension. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations, and providing medical opinions. The issues include service connection for respiratory disability, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and rating of ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication but has not shown diastolic readings predominantly 100 or more either historically or during the course of his appeal, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and hypertension. However, additional development is needed to determine if there is a nexus between current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is caused by his service-connected hypertension, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has determined that a 10% rating is warranted based on his blood pressure readings.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's neck condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, headaches (claimed as brain damage), and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and skin rashes as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to exposure to herbicide agents, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not service connected, but the Veteran was granted a 60% rating for his coronary artery disease as of December 5, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it is secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The appeal will be returned after completion of this action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD based on a diagnosed condition, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service. The medical evidence does not support a link between current hypertension and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including a supplemental medical opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer and hypertension are not attributable to his period of service, including as a result of herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and skin cancer on hands, face, and neck were denied as there was no new and material evidence received to reopen the claims. The skin cancer claim is also denied due to lack of service connection.

The Veteran's disabilities were not service-connected, but he received a combined non-service-connected disability rating of 40%. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as there was no pending claim at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration of all submitted evidence.