Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension first manifested during a period of active duty service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to his military service. The Board also found that hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, or PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board found that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability, including medication prescribed for his mood disorder. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was denied.

The Veteran's death was due to metastatic lung cancer, which is presumptively related to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Thailand and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has received notification from the Veteran and his representative that they wish to withdraw their appeal of entitlement to service connection for a left thumb disability. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for coronary artery disease, post pacemaker implant cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is considered etiologically related to his active military service, including high blood pressure readings during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea and hypertension are related to his service, as evidenced by their onset during active duty and post-service treatment records. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is service-connected and rated at 20 percent. Service connection for hypertension has been granted, but an effective date prior to December 19, 2010 is not warranted. A TDIU was granted prior to August 6, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and spondylolisthesis with a rating of 40 percent effective September 25, 2003. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also service-connected.

The Veteran's heart disease, sleep apnea, skin diseases, gastrointestinal disease, and nerve damage are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and/or hypertension. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service Agent Orange exposure and an examination to determine whether hypertension is related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disorder, feet disorders, toenail disorder and hypertension were all granted by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are related to his service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has vacated the January 4, 2018 decision and dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not due to herbicide exposure in service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board found that hypertension did not have its onset in service, was not related to diabetes mellitus type 2, and is not otherwise related to service. The Veteran's hypertension was not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.