Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorder (acid reflux), erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.,There is insufficient evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED for further development. This includes obtaining any outstanding VA and/or private medical records and associating them with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and chronic kidney disease, finding that additional assistance is needed to determine if his conditions are related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The kidney disease claim is also intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date than January 26, 2017 for the award of increased DIC based on her need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The evidence did not show that she required such assistance prior to January 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hypertension, and tinnitus, as well as the rating of service-connected PTSD and tinnitus. The special monthly compensation claim based on loss of use of a creative organ is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including COPD, Paget's Disease, metabolic disorders, hypertension, gastric ulcer, and right thyroid nodule/goiter, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to additional substantive development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease/condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, enlarged prostate with urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and blurred vision are not related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence of a link between his hypertension and in-service herbicide exposure. The Board also found that hypertension can be presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lupus was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of lupus and that any functional impairment related to a lupus-like disorder is addressed below.,Service connection for hypertension, secondary to PTSD, was remanded due to the lack of a presumptive association between hypertension and exposure to tactical herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and PTSD with depression have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for anemia is granted. The claims for right and left ankle disabilities, hypertension, kidney disease, and neoplasms are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for residuals of a traumatic head injury and vascular disease, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's private attorney argues that these conditions are related to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 26, 2012 for dependency allowance was denied as the required certification of dependents' status was not received within one year of a September 2000 notification letter. The Board found that there was no clear evidence to rebut the presumption of regularity regarding the delivery of the September 2000 notice.

The Board has determined that the Appellant meets the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance due to her disabilities, which include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, hearing loss, and poor balance. The decision grants this benefit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and strokes as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to service, and the claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, coronary artery disease, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of proper notice and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.