Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lung cancer was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran contends that his hypertension is related to service in the National Guard. The Board finds it unclear whether this condition first manifested during a period of active duty for training and requests clarification from the Veteran regarding his periods of ACDUTRA. Further, attempts are made to obtain any relevant treatment records dating prior to May 1977.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board denied all claims, including those for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and organic diseases of the nervous system (other than already service-connected tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss). The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability was also denied. No effective date earlier than May 29, 2013 for SMC benefits is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during or within one year of his separation from active duty service, and is not otherwise related to his active duty service. The same was true for his hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to in-service herbicide agent exposure and secondary service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure as related to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension and heart disability did not have their inception during service or within a presumptive period, and are not related to his active service. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of aggravation by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current essential hypertension and pulmonary hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service, were not caused by his service, and were not caused or aggravated by service-connected hemorrhoids and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not preexist his service and was not aggravated during service, leading to a denial of service connection. The GERD claim is also denied as it did not manifest within one year post-service and is not otherwise related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes and PTSD, and the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, which is controlled by medication and manifested by diastolic pressure of less than 100 and systolic pressure less than 160, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for the period from March 22, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, CAD and hypertension were all found to be related to his service.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as his assertions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and headaches. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lower urinary tract symptoms, hemorrhoids, and athlete's foot. The Veteran's LUTS was incurred in service, his hemorrhoids were incurred in service, and his athlete's foot disability is aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, COPD, and CAD. The evidence did not establish direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not demonstrated in service or within one year of separation, and the only competent evidence on the question of a medical nexus between current hypertension and service weighs against the claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his hypertension and heart disability were not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection, respectively.

The Board is remanding the claims of hypertension, low back disability, and hernia for additional development. The cause of death issue will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The Board finds that the evidence of record does not demonstrate a current disability of bilateral hearing loss during the current appeal period.