Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to Agent Orange. However, a new medical opinion is needed as the previous one was inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's HTN is related to his in-service exposure, and the reasonable doubt created by this relative equipoise in the evidence must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for high cholesterol was dismissed. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his low back, left wrist, right wrist, right leg, left leg, or hypertension disabilities began during service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,For all other issues, the Veteran's appeals for low back disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, right leg disability, and left leg disability were denied. The Board concluded that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service, no established continuity of symptomatology since service, and no causal relationship between any current disabilities and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as his education, training, and work history allow for employment despite his conditions.

The Veteran's high blood pressure is granted a 10 percent rating, effective September 26, 2017. Service connection for colon polyps and diverticulosis are denied. The Board remanded the issues of service connection for deviated septum, left carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of vasectomy, diabetes, hemorrhoids, and hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of kidney stones was denied. The rating reduction from 60 percent to 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability status post fusion with instrumentation was restored, and the claim for hypertension with nephrosclerosis remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. Bilateral hearing loss is presumed due to in-service noise exposure. Tinnitus is presumed as it was reported during service. Hypertension is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, CAD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the requirements for qualifying service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen several service connection claims was granted, including for high blood pressure, a neurological disorder manifested by shaking arms, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and right knee disability. Other claims were remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for meningioma (claimed as pituitary tumor), sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for a dose estimate related to potential radiation exposure during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between his current disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the submission of additional VA medical records since May 2016. These issues will be reconsidered with these new records included.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also had his petition to reopen his service-connected hypertension/high blood pressure claim denied. His TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU due to his combined disability rating.

The Veteran's urinary frequency, due to his service-connected hypertension and medication use, is rated at 40 percent. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, skin condition, unspecified respiratory condition now claimed as chronic airway obstruction, and asthma all secondary to PTSD due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions on causation and exposure, as well as outstanding VA treatment records. The examiner is requested to provide a comprehensive opinion regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as the Board cannot make a fully-informed decision without addressing whether her gynecological conditions and hepatic cysts clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, and if so, whether they were clearly and unmistakably aggravated by service.,The Veteran is also being asked to provide information about any private medical treatment she has received for these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.