Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disability (coronary artery disease), and kidney disease due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's reports of ongoing symptomatology following service are considered in conjunction with his reported diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the inextricably intertwined nature of his hearing loss claim and the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions from previous VA examinations. The Veteran's hypertension will need further evaluation and opinion.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a nervous condition due to new medical evidence, but denied reopening of claims for right shoulder pain and problems, lower back pain and problems, hypertension, left shoulder disability, and stomach disability.,The issues of entitlement to effective dates prior to December 1, 2014 for bilateral hearing loss and scar disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to service-connected disabilities, including his hypertension and psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye retinal drusen was dismissed because he withdrew his claim at a hearing. The Veteran's hypertension, rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7101, had diastolic pressure predominantly less than 100 and systolic pressure predominantly less than 160 throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diverticulosis, colon polyps, kidney stones, cysts and lumps, facial acne, headaches, and depression. The remand requires obtaining private medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a low back condition was denied due to lack of evidence of chronic disability.,Service connection for left knee disability is not granted as there is no current diagnosis.,Hypertension is not service connected as it did not begin during service and has no link to in-service events or diseases.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be service-connected, likely due to high-risk sexual activity while in service.,An earlier effective date of July 9, 2012, for the award of service connection for left eye conjunctivitis/ptosis is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and nummular eczema associated with dyshidrosis are granted as secondary to his service-connected skin disability. The Veteran is also granted a 60 percent rating for his nummular eczema, the maximum schedular rating under DC 7806. Service connection for high cholesterol and high triglyceride are denied. Service connection for back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus to include as secondary to skin disability induced obesity is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee condition (also claimed as bilateral knee condition and right leg condition), hypertension, and hepatitis C due to inadequate examination opinions and outstanding service treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues regarding entitlement to service connection for left knee disorder, hypertension, a left ankle disorder, numbness of left hip, and numbness of right hip, each claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claim of service connection for hypertension, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain, muscle pain, hypertension secondary to PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart condition (claimed as cardiovascular symptoms), and headaches. The reasons include the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as secondary to hypertension. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to the relationship between the conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent disability rating for hypertension secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted with an effective date of May 4, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's conditions, including his back pain and neuropathy, to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The cause of death listed on the official certificate was pneumonia, secondary to lung cancer and acute renal failure, with COPD contributing significantly.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart problems, hypertension, and related peripheral neuropathy and dementia due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be returned to the Board after the AOJ reviews new evidence.