Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and Hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, effective May 29, 2008. Service connection was also granted for hypertension, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities, all of which are considered direct service connections based on evidence from service records.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, peripheral neuropathy (upper and lower extremities), and vertigo are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after service. The Board also noted that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke, hypertension, and enlarged heart were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate opinions and missing records. The issues include service connection for various conditions, including left foot disability, right knee disability, epistaxis, facial injury, sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of mandibular prognathism and malocclusion, claimed as scars of the face and neck. The Veteran testified during his July 2017 Travel Board hearing that he experienced symptoms such as painful, itchy scars on his face and neck, a burning sensation, and choking sensations since his in-service surgery to correct his mandibular prognathism and malocclusion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension first manifested during a period of active duty service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to his military service. The Board also found that hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, or PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board found that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability, including medication prescribed for his mood disorder. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was denied.

The Veteran's death was due to metastatic lung cancer, which is presumptively related to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Thailand and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has received notification from the Veteran and his representative that they wish to withdraw their appeal of entitlement to service connection for a left thumb disability. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for coronary artery disease, post pacemaker implant cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is considered etiologically related to his active military service, including high blood pressure readings during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea and hypertension are related to his service, as evidenced by their onset during active duty and post-service treatment records. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is service-connected and rated at 20 percent. Service connection for hypertension has been granted, but an effective date prior to December 19, 2010 is not warranted. A TDIU was granted prior to August 6, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and spondylolisthesis with a rating of 40 percent effective September 25, 2003. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also service-connected.

The Veteran's heart disease, sleep apnea, skin diseases, gastrointestinal disease, and nerve damage are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and/or hypertension. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service Agent Orange exposure and an examination to determine whether hypertension is related to service.