Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and respiratory disability (chronic sinusitis) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or etiology in service. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Veteran's mid abdominal scar is not rated as compensable, and the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for left knee disability is denied because there is no evidence showing it began during service or is related to an in-service injury. The Veteran has a right knee disability which may be considered secondary to his left knee disability, but this issue is not addressed as the right knee disability is not service-connected.,The Board finds that hypertension does not have sufficient evidence of association with herbicide exposure and thus cannot be presumed due to such exposure. However, VA examination/medical opinion is required to determine if it is related to any other incident in service or otherwise.,Service connection for colon cancer is denied because there are no records showing the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and his current hypertension. The Veteran needs a more comprehensive VA examination to determine if his hypertension is related to his diabetes or an in-service event.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to determine if his hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for CAD and cardiac arrhythmia as secondary to PTSD, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, a CNS disability as secondary to CAD and cardiac arrhythmia, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional medical opinions are needed on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including its relationship to service and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability (claimed as CAD with myocardial infarction), hepatitis C, lumbar spine disability, left foot injury, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were not found to have onset during service or be related to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not found to have onset during service and is not otherwise related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as there was no diagnosis of hypertension related to his active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted. The bilateral hearing loss disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claims have been remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection is denied for the gastrointestinal, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea conditions as they are inextricably intertwined with the acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability, type 2 diabetes (diabetes), and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension due to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions as there was no evidence linking them to service or presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, to include ventricular arrhythmia are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's death was not due to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore burial benefits in excess of $300.00 are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The Veteran's stomach disorders, residuals of CVA, and hypertension are all being reviewed again with new examinations and opinions.

The appeal to reopen service connection for a cardiovascular disability is granted. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for a psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hearing loss, as well as entitlement to a higher rating for service-connected bilateral nuclear cataracts associated with diabetes mellitus were raised in a January 2018 statement and are referred to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for adjudication. The appeal is remanded for further action on service connection for cardiovascular disability, total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, and higher rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin during service and is unrelated to any in-service injury, event, or disease. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and Crohn’s disease, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including colon cancer, liver cancer, a heart disability (claimed as high cholesterol), a heart attack, high blood pressure, a gall bladder disability, and a ruptured appendix. The records from February 2004 to January 2011 need to be obtained and associated with the claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, nausea (claimed as gastroesophageal reflux disease), hypertension, and muscle tension headaches. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection of hypertension has been denied.,New evidence was submitted to support the reopening of these claims.