Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA audiological examination and heart disorder examination. The claims will be readjudicated after all development has been completed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence is against a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased evaluation for lichen planus. The claim for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service or herbicide exposure, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established. For lichen planus, the Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7822.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD, which contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 29, 2011. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD prior to May 9, 2011, most closely approximates a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment caused by suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. As of May 9, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD manifests with symptoms including depression, self-isolation, nightmares, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts, causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the correct standard of service connection and potential herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for hypertension, as the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hypertension during or within one year of separation from active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, including his exposure to asbestos or herbicide agents, and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's heart disabilities. A new medical opinion is needed to address whether the diagnosed conditions are separate from atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and if they are proximately caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, nor by systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. The criteria for a higher rating under the applicable Diagnostic Code are not met.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service and/or exposure to herbicide agents. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not causally related to his active service or any incident therein, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The most probative evidence established that it was less likely than not caused by in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The claims for peripheral neuropathy, right foot disorder, hypertension, osteoporosis, and kidney cancer are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss. The issues were also addressed regarding right shoulder, foot, hip, and leg disabilities.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records, and no other specific reasons were provided in the decision.