Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for asthma, hypertension, and a kidney disorder.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches are remanded as new evidence has been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death, finding that no service-connected disability was either the principal or a contributory cause of the Veteran’s death. The evidence did not support presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected cervical spondylosis. Service connection was granted for hypertension, with the preponderance of evidence supporting its onset during active duty training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions or their relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination related to the Veteran's hypertension is inadequate and requires a new examination. The Veteran must be provided with an updated VA examination to determine if his hypertension is etiologically related to his service, including elevated blood pressure readings during active duty.

All service connection claims have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected hypertension is denied as the evidence does not show that his diastolic pressure was predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, bladder disability, skin disability, loss of teeth, chronic pain syndrome, blood clot on lungs, hypertension, and permanent incapacity were dismissed. The claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities are reopened but further development is needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for service connection for high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, stroke, right-sided weakness in the right foot, and right-sided weakness in the right hand has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypothyroidism due to potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's service records indicate he had service in Thailand but not Vietnam. Further verification is needed regarding his claimed service in Vietnam and any exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his in-service condition or due to his service-connected mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation. The evidence does not support a secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and congestive heart failure (CHF) as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, finding no evidence of onset in service or within a year after separation.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthrosis of the right knee with medial meniscus tear, including as secondary to residuals of acute renal failure.,The Board also denied service connection for osteoarthrosis of the left knee, including as secondary to residuals of acute renal failure.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an effective date earlier than May 24, 2016 for PTSD with MDD and service connection for hypertension. The issue of TDIU prior to May 24, 2016 is also being remanded as it may be affected by the earlier effective date issue.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted. The appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, IHD, DM, and PTSD remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral rotator cuff tear, bilateral torn plantar fascia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened due to the submission of new evidence.