Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and hypertension, and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. Further development is needed to determine if his current disabilities are related to service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus and PTSD with depression. The other issues were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his service and denied all of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including CAD, hypertension, and systolic heart failure, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a TBI during service and denied the appellant's claim for service connection for TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for tinnitus, a low back disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his in-service sinusitis and/or depression. The decision also noted that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during service, but did not find a direct link between his sleep apnea and this exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate examination report and failure to address a specific opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension, service-connected diabetes mellitus, and PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions and hypertension disabilities are not enumerated diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure. The central matter in this case is whether either the Veteran's documented heart disease are manifestations of ischemic heart disease or he otherwise has ischemic heart disease.

The Board found that a timely substantive appeal was filed for some issues but not others, and thus the decision regarding service connection for PTSD and higher initial ratings for sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis is considered valid.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining this information.

The claim for service connection for paranoid personality disorder has been reopened and granted.,The claim for PTSD due to military sexual assault has also been reopened and granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Veteran's other claims are pending and will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's condition was stable by May 12, 2010 and he could have been safely transferred to a VA facility for continued treatment. However, there is no evidence that the provider made reasonable attempts to transfer him.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also found that the Veteran is likely unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Additional records and an addendum opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and arranging for a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, and other conditions are pending.