Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it, finding that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his appendectomy scar was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. His hypertension claim was also denied, but he is now eligible to reopen his claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. The psychiatric disability claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and end-stage renal disease are not related to service, and thus denied these claims. The claim for hemorrhoids is pending as it relates to a different issue.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to colon cancer and hypertension, with hypertension being related to service exposure to Agent Orange. The Board has ordered a remand for a VA medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, back disability, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, headaches, and organic mental disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the Appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service. The claims will be readjudicated after all development.

The Board has ordered additional development as the April 2016 VA examiner's opinion is inadequate. The appellant seeks service connection for her husband's death on a secondary basis due to his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and is unrelated to his military service. The Board also determined that hypertension was not caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and diabetic nephropathy. The issue of TDIU prior to June 17, 2010 is also addressed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are related to service, with hypertension being secondary to his service-connected high blood pressure. The cervical spine disorder is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred while in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he contends is related to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, and thus cannot grant service connection on this basis. However, hypertension was noted as present.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, as well as service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, were denied by the Board. The criteria for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction have not been met, while hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since May 4, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in January 2018.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the bilateral knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder gunshot wound residuals.

The Veteran's hypertension and periodontal disease are being remanded for additional development as the initial opinions provided were inadequate. The diabetes claim is also being remanded due to non-responsive development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset in service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.