Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension and liver cirrhosis were not incurred during service, are not related to herbicide exposure, and do not have a direct relationship with his service-connected diabetes. The claims for increased ratings for neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of each lower extremity and upper extremities as well as for an effective date prior to May 30, 2013 were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential service from August 1999 to December 1999 and National Guard/Reserve service, as these records may be relevant to the Veteran's hypertension. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining any additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition, hair loss, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further evaluation to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for right hip disability, left varicocele, and arterial hypertension. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and an examination for the right hip disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, including symptoms of depression and alcohol dependence. The Board finds that the criteria for secondary service connection are met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, heart disability, hypertension, and skin condition based on new evidence. However, due to lack of credible exposure to herbicides during service, these conditions cannot be linked to his military service.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and any outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to his service, specifically herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA examination records and providing a rationale for opinions regarding whether sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes or hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to properly assess the Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, as the current evidence of record does not contain adequate findings for rating purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD.

The Board found that the amputations of the right leg above the knee and left great toe were not caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Veteran's conditions were reasonably foreseeable given his medical history.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder and addressing the intertwined TDIU claim. The claims are being remanded to allow for this.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service, is not related to service, including his claimed herbicide agent exposure, and was not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during or within one year of his active military service, nor was it caused or aggravated by such service or any incident thereof. The diagnosis and treatment for hypertension began after his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension, or a kidney condition. The service connection claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as there is no current diagnosis or credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.