Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol as it is not a disability for VA purposes. The claims for sleep apnea, diabetes, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service and no link between service and the condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a balance problem associated with PTSD and hypertension, finding that there is no relationship between these conditions and his in-service service. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's current hypertension may be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for cause of death is remanded due to inadequate development and evaluation of asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD, alcohol dependence, headaches, cirrhosis of the liver, GI disorder, bilateral knee disorder, kidney disease, spleen disorder, hypertension, keratoderma (a skin condition), and sleep disorder are all secondary to his service-connected conditions.,The VA has not provided sufficient evidence regarding the onset or causation of the Veteran's GI disorder, bilateral knee disorder, kidney disease, spleen disorder, hypertension, keratoderma (a skin condition), and sleep disorder. The Veteran’s hepatitis C is also under review for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and the Veteran's stroke as secondary to his hypertension. The evidence shows that the Veteran had elevated blood pressure readings during service, which is considered a direct link to his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus as the evidence does not support that it is proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a lung condition have been denied. The Board found no direct evidence linking the conditions to service, including service in Southwest Asia. For hypertension, there was no medical evidence showing it was caused by or aggravated by service-connected PTSD. For the lung condition, there was insufficient evidence of a chronic qualifying disability under the provisions for Persian Gulf veterans.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, and a pelvic mass due to insufficient evidence regarding the dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) during which these conditions may have been incurred or aggravated.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if hypertension is related to service-connected PTSD, and to assess the current severity of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for high blood pressure/hypertension and erectile dysfunction due to Agent Orange exposure or medications for PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide private medical records, including a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension is granted. Service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death and whether his hypertension contributed to it. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was caused by cholangiocarcinoma (bowel duct cancer) and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD and DM are not found to be directly related, but an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his hypertension is aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The initial compensable rating for ingrown toenail, right great toe is denied. The heart disability claim has not met the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. Erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Effective dates prior to May 23, 2011 are not granted for service connection of hypertension, allergic conjunctivitis, erectile dysfunction, ingrown toenail right great toe, and heart disability.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, headaches, and hypertension disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion on whether a right knee bony density is related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability.,There is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to his military service.