Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, along with other disabilities, precludes him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. However, his other service-connected conditions do not individually or in combination render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination(s), scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus, and any identified complications, and requesting SSA disability determination(s).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension and diabetes mellitus did not begin during or within one year after his active duty service, nor were they caused by or permanently increased in severity by his service-connected sleep apnea. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for hypertension, service connection for residuals of a low back injury and erectile dysfunction, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their relationship to his other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 1998 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD. The hypertension issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits was denied as the preponderance of evidence did not support his contention that he is permanently and totally disabled due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, bilateral knee disability, chloracne, high cholesterol, lumbar spine disability (Degenerative Disc Disease), hydrocephalus, and benign prostatic hypertrophy are all denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition or link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new opinion on service connection for hypertension and retrieving any relevant private medical records. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection and increased rating are pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in an August 2014 statement.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his period of active service.,The Veteran has hypertension that began in April 2005, which is within the presumptive period for hypertension due to military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension and patellar tendonitis of the right knee with degenerative arthritis have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate reasons or bases in its prior decision and because of a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic heart condition, including as due to exposure to herbicides in service. The Veteran's death was also considered and service connection for cause of death was granted.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted, with hypertension being considered a contributory cause.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between PTSD and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's post-service hypertension arose in service or is otherwise related to service, to include the hemorrhagic fever in service.