Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the current severity and manifestations of the appellant's service-connected skin condition, tinea cruris, tinea pedis with onychomycosis. The issues of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, including as due to herbicide exposure or secondary to his service-connected PTSD. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and hypertension are not related to his service, including exposure to herbicides during service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for residuals of cold injury to the face, hypertension, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's hepatitis C and hypertension are not service-connected as they are both attributed to his own willful misconduct, specifically intravenous drug use for hepatitis C and alcohol abuse for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected conditions or onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of his service and private medical treatment. A new medical opinion is also needed regarding the etiology of his hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is now considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of morbid obesity, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation with history of acute congestive heart failure, and hypertension as secondary to residuals of a left knee injury with arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, denied service connection for sarcoidosis and hypogonadism, denied service connection for high cholesterol and hypoglycemia, granted an effective date prior to October 6, 2011 for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and granted TDIU prior to June 14, 2014. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, a disability manifested by tremors, defective vision, and a psychiatric disability. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and determining if appropriate VA examinations are necessary. The claims will be adjudicated under a direct theory of service connection if the Veteran submits evidence indicating that his disorders were caused by presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease due to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is granted as the condition had its onset in service and there is a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a partial remand from the Court. The Veteran's hypertension will be evaluated in light of his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is denied.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and tinnitus were granted with effective dates of March 6, 2009.

The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they related to his service-connected diabetes.,The effective date for the TDIU is set at October 31, 2008.

The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected due to lack of onset in service, within one year of separation, or otherwise related to a service-connected disability. For the period prior to December 17, 2013, his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and ischemic heart disease due to inadequate VA examinations, incomplete medical records, and a need for further examination. The case is now pending with the AOJ.