Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including an article concerning hypertension and exposure to herbicides. The AOJ must consider this new evidence in its first instance.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to his service, as the current evidence does not establish a clear connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, stroke, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of heart disease or hypertension, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records. The TDIU application should also be completed.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea caused or aggravated his current hypertension, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as due to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously classified is related to service-connected Parkinson's disease. The Veteran does not have a current, chronic skin disability or thyroid disability that was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for hypertension, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. As a result, the Board does not have appellate jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection for hypertension and asthma. The Veteran's hypertension was not present during active service or within one year thereafter, and there is no medical opinion linking his current condition to military service. For asthma, while a diagnosis existed prior to service, the VA examiner concluded that it did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service and is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated at 20 percent since August 19, 1994. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of regulation of activities required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. As such, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and lower back disability are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to her active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered additional development to address whether the Veteran's cardiomegaly was aggravated by his atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gout, as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and left shoulder adhesive capsulitis are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.