Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding service connection for multiple cardiovascular disorders and a rating for chronic low back pain with sacroiliitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether his hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension with erectile dysfunction has been rated as 0 percent since August 2008. The evidence does not show that his diastolic pressure is predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure is predominantly 160 or more, despite the need for continuous medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed respiratory disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, or hypertension related to his active duty service. The evidence is against a finding of an etiological relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, is not otherwise etiologically related to his service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease with a hiatal hernia and gastritis, and migraine headaches.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and thus denied service connection for all issues.

An effective date of July 6, 2011 is granted for the award of service connection for asthma. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied as it does not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct examinations and opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders, joint and tendon disorders, headaches, and hypertension, and provide appropriate notice for a personal assault claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his reported exposure and obtain medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as qualifying chronic disabilities under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 due to their association with undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illnesses.

The Board found no evidence of direct service connection for hypertension, as the Veteran's symptoms did not manifest within one year of separation and there was insufficient medical evidence to support a link between PTSD and hypertension. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, and hypertension, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's lumbar strain with recurrent pain and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant's statements do not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, to include as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the nature of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional records, including SSA disability benefits records. The issues of service connection for depression and an increased rating for hypertension will be addressed in a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has decided the case needs additional development and remands it back to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are related to service, including herbicide exposure.