Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and outstanding treatment records, as the current severity of her service-connected hypertension and migraine headaches cannot be determined from the existing evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and hypertension, as well as his request for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of traumatic brain injury, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or symptoms for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by progressive debility and decline (disease associated viruses) with contributory conditions of hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), prostate cancer, and hypothyroidism. The Board finds that the service-connected diseases substantially contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disability, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are caused by his service-connected PTSD, thus granting service connection for these conditions as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and a heart disability to include ischemic heart disease were denied. Service connection was granted for hypertension but not for the other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and will provide further development before readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's causes of death were not service-connected, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected death pension or accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea and grants this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, eye disorder (glaucoma), and diabetes based on the claimed link to lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma, liver disorder, and HTN were not found to be related to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not present in service or until many years thereafter, and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin, including exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied.

The Veteran's neck disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements as his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including new VA examinations for hypertension and migraine headaches.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, including special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) due to her countable income exceeding the maximum annual limit set by law.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (to include as secondary to hypertension).,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not originate in service or within one year of separation from active duty, and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service. The Board also found no evidence that the hypertension was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.