Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability), and the underlying issue of entitlement to service connection for an anxiety disorder. The appeals were dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are granted. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in favor of his claimed stressor involving an accidental shooting on the firing range during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and it is not causally related to active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, as well as to evaluate his external hemorrhoids. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension based on chronic manifestations in service and the presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, and he does not have a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more that requires continuous medication for control. Therefore, an increased evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's current hypertension was not caused by (to include an exposures therein) and did not have onset during, or within one year following, his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have materially contributed to his death from sepsis due to dementia, and the Board grants service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to service, herbicide exposure, or diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing hypertension had its onset within a year of the Veteran's service discharge, and thus denied presumptive service connection. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish direct or secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the onset of hypertension during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension or low back disorder, as there is no competent medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his active duty. The post-service records do not show any treatment for these conditions until years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a recurrent right shoulder disorder to include a rotator cuff tear, and the Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, a lung disorder due to mustard gas exposure, and a skin disorder due to mustard gas exposure. The Board also found that there is no credible evidence linking any current respiratory or psychiatric conditions to his service.

The Veteran's current tension-type headaches are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities, including the medications required for those disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to or aggravated by his military service and any service-connected disabilities, including medications prescribed for those conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to its lack of manifestation within one year of service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's radiculopathy and hypertension were not incurred in service, but granted service connection for her low back disorder (including lumbar radiculopathy) as a direct result of active duty.