Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his hypertension, which in turn contributed to his cerebrovascular disease/event and death. The Board finds this evidence is at least in equipoise, granting service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for left chest, back and arm pain and numbness, PTSD, and hypertension have been reopened. However, the preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, provide VCAA notice regarding secondary service connection claims, and conduct further development including obtaining an addendum opinion and/or VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for varicose veins of the left leg have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension. As a result, there are no remaining issues to be decided by the Board.

The Board found no evidence of a low back injury or disease during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for both her low back disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and review of medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for hypertension is denied. The evidence does not show that it is at least as likely as not related to active service or Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection for a lung disorder (pulmonary disorder) is denied. The evidence does not show that it is at least as likely as not related to active service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including a right elbow disability, back disability, hand disorder, hearing loss, headaches, swollen glands, female problems and menstrual disorders, abdominal pain (residuals of hysterectomy), hypertension, left arm pain, right arm pain, left wrist pain, right hand pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, and bilateral foot disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board finds that the Veteran's heart or chest pain disorder is not related to service and is not caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, is not otherwise etiologically related to his service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability or due to KBr exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and hypertension due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds no compelling evidence or specific argument from the appellant indicating that the Veteran had a cardiovascular disability during service. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's cause of death was attributable to service, any incident of service, or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left hand disorder and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during service, are not related to any in-service injury or exposure, and do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, an in-service disease or injury, or a relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral hip disabilities, and hypertension. The Veteran's other claims remain denied.