Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma, due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues of nonservice-connected pension benefits and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound. The Board is dismissing these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria residuals, diabetes mellitus type 2, and a heart disorder have been reopened. The evidence submitted is new and material to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 has also been reopened with the submission of additional medical evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and cardiac conditions were not incurred during a period of active duty service or ADT, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), left knee disability, kidney disorder, and hypertension. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of hypertension, blood in the stool, hyperlipidemia, and degenerative joint disease of the left arm. The remaining issues are not addressed as they have been granted or dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection is granted.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, vertigo (dizziness), recurrent headaches due to head injuries, and hypertension. These conditions are all considered service-connected as they are deemed to have originated during his active duty.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, vertigo, recurrent headaches, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during active service, including as a result of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right shoulder dislocation were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5202.

The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against the finding that any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability, to include depression, is etiologically related to any aspect of active service. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability must be denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated at a noncompensable level since July 8, 2009. The Board found that the criteria for an initial 10 percent disability rating have been more nearly approximated throughout the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and hypertension, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the relationship between his hypertension and symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue. Additionally, a notice of how to substantiate a claim for entitlement to TDIU will be provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and hepatitis C due to incomplete development of medical records, particularly from the Dallas VA Medical Center. The claims are now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, and vasospasm, did not develop in service or during his period of ACDUTRA. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation either.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for tension headaches prior to September 27, 2012; and entitlement to service connection for non-specific dermatitis, claimed as a skin rash; hypertension; insomnia, claimed as sleep deprivation disorder; left ankle osteoarthritis; right ankle osteoarthritis; and erectile dysfunction. The appeal of the issue of an effective date prior than August 20, 2003 for the grant of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and TDIU have been deferred due to the grant of combined 100% disability rating, but his diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and remanded the case for further development.