Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and service connection for various conditions were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board found that the current evidence was insufficient to substantiate these claims.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the issue of service connection for hypertension, which may be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that Addison's disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his Reserve service records and to obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and its incurrence or aggravation during such service may not be presumed. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is not considered a basis for presumptive service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during active service or within one year of discharge, and was not caused or aggravated by exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran experiences bilateral lower extremity edema, which the Board finds is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected kidney disease. As such, he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for skin cancer. The Veteran's current skin cancer is found to be related to his in-service duties as a welder, which exposed him to ultraviolet light from welding equipment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and will consider the claims again. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected, but he may have new evidence that could support his claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic adjustment disorder was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating. The claims for service connection for low back disorder, hypertension, and squamous cell carcinoma of the left mandible were denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, including respiratory failure and pulmonary emboli. The Board will seek additional medical records to determine if the cold weather exposure in service contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's digestive system disability, specifically irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastritis, has been determined to be aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or until many years after discharge, and there is no competent medical opinion linking it to active service. The Board also noted that his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD do not cause or aggravate his hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed heart disorder and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) with the National Guard. The evidence did not show any connection between these conditions and his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a comprehensive examination to assess the Veteran's ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development of evidence, including medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left arm disability and hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The hypertension was diagnosed prior to the diagnosis of diabetes and is more likely related to a stroke in 1988.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2011 VA examination.