Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his major depressive disorder, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The VA medical opinion provided a clear and definitive conclusion against the appellant's claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting hypertension was aggravated by his service in Afghanistan, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, bipolar disorder, is related to service and granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, left leg disability, sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be related to her service-connected hypertension, and thus she is granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and hypertension is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diverticulitis, asthma, COPD, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, stroke, bowel cancer, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hernia, sleep apnea, and nerve damage. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not cause unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of thyroid cancer and hypertension are not related to his active service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of his condition, as well as consideration of whether it is related to military service or any other factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination for the Veteran's hypertension and heart condition claims, as well as to determine if his current conditions are related to service or any incidents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Okinawa, Japan. The claim will be reconsidered after further verification is obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disk disease with anterolisthesis and right lower extremity radiculopathy have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including a new VA examination regarding his claimed diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease (CAD), is presumed due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The hypertension claim remains pending as it does not fall under the presumptive service connection for herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected. The right knee condition is reopened and found to be related to service, while the left inguinal hernia is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.