Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of formal finding regarding herbicide exposure and will need to determine if the Veteran can be presumed exposed. The claims for service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension will then be reconsidered based on this determination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and hypertension are not related to service or any incident thereof.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo was a significant condition contributing to his death from acute large intracranial hemorrhage. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has been granted, and he is now receiving a 20 percent rating. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU effective December 15, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to develop the claim for a thyroid disorder in accordance with VA regulations. The Veteran's service connection claims are now inextricably intertwined with the remanded issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board notes that the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the Appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death claimed as the result of herbicide exposure and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received. Service connection is now established for the cause of the Veteran's death due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues include cardiovascular disorders including hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea, all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, back disability, left knee disability, and increased rating for right knee disability. The hypertension claim was reopened but ultimately denied due to lack of chronicity in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset during service or as a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and/or diabetic nephropathy. The evidence does not support a finding that hypertension was caused by, aggravated by, or related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability. A social and industrial survey will also be conducted to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private dental treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current dental condition. The claims will also be reviewed to determine if there are any new evidence that may affect service connection based on radiation exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not occur during service and was not aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence to support a secondary service connection claim based on his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease (CAD).,Diabetic retinopathy is found to be related to diabetes mellitus.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are found to have had their onset during service, warranting the grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that the conditions did not have their clinical onset in service or otherwise relate to active duty. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption of exposure to herbicides.