Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found no direct evidence linking the Veteran's hypertension to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's hypertension is less likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as it was granted in full prior to the promulgation of a decision. The low back disability is found to be related to service and service connection is granted.

The Board granted the Veteran a TDIU effective October 4, 2004. The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no evidence of physician-directed restrictions on occupational and recreational activities.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied, with the examiner opining that the hypertension did not result from service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hypertension or residuals of a left hand laceration as there was no evidence showing such conditions were incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service connected, as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's hypertension and his exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset in service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to active duty, including as a result of presumed herbicide exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's residuals of cold injuries to the feet are related to his service. The Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for labyrinthitis, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, bilateral glaucoma and cataracts (claimed as eye disorder), type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction (ED), and coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment in the amount of $1,046.00 due to financial hardship and undue economic hardship resulting from recovery.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were not incurred in service or related to his active duty. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and specifically denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA medical examination to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding whether his hypertension is related to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted increased initial ratings of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability since September 20, 2013 and 20 percent for both right and left ankle disabilities since September 20, 2013. The Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar warts have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected knee and back disabilities, nor can it be established as a direct result of his military service. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.