Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a heart disorder need further examination to determine if they are related to his military service or any other factors.

The Veteran's chronic heart disability and hypertension are now service-connected. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including assigning an initial rating for the service-connected disabilities and determining if a TDIU is warranted prior to January 6, 2011.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of acoustic trauma during service and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied due to lack of in-service onset or relationship to service, with post-service diagnoses beginning many years after separation from service.,The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 6602. The VA examiner found no evidence of more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, monthly visits for care of exacerbations, or daily use of systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications.,The Veteran's asthma is not rated higher as the current rating already reflects his need for daily inhalation therapy and anti-inflammatory medication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, hypertension due to herbicide exposure, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gout due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not presumed, but a direct nexus must be considered. A new examination is required to determine if there is a link between service, PTSD, and both conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cervical condition, left foot injury, hypertension, sleep apnea, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical records, attempt to corroborate in-service stressors, and arrange for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a liver condition was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The appeals to reopen service connection claims for gout, lumbar strain, and hypertension were all denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches, increased ratings for PTSD and hypertension due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the claim for a retrospective examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's work capacity during the period from April 21, 2014 to February 1, 2016. The effective date is not addressed as it pertains to the retroactive application of a 100% schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU prior to December 18, 2008, and SMC at the housebound rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to October 21, 2016 due to incomplete evidence in the claims file.

The Veteran's death was caused by chronic renal failure and COPD, with hypertension possibly contributing. The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for cause of death and DIC under § 1318 are inextricably intertwined with the pending claims for PTSD, alcoholism, alcohol-induced dementia, and a heart condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of diabetes during or within one year after service, and that hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange during his active duty in Thailand. The Board also found that these conditions were not present during service or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to potential exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Veteran's presence aboard USS Agerholm while on the gun line is being verified, and an opinion regarding whether his current conditions are related to military service will be provided.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Veteran's stomach condition other than IBS with diverticulitis and diverticulosis is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to new and material evidence. However, the appeal is remanded as further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include PFB, lumbar and cervical neck disabilities, OSA, hypertension, and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to an increased rating for left fibula fracture due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.