Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, as secondary to his service-connected pulmonary hypertension. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is related to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed coronary artery disease (CAD). The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board found that hypertension was not present during active duty, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year from the date of separation from service in November 1968, and is unrelated to an injury, disease, or event of service origin, including service-connected diabetes mellitus and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's gynecomastia is not service connected as it did not manifest in service and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and his military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against this claim.,Regarding hypertension, the VA examiner concluded that there was no secondary service connection based on PTSD. However, another VA physician provided an opinion linking PTSD to hypertension. The Board sought clarification from VHA regarding whether there is a relationship between PTSD and hypertension in the Veteran's case.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest possible rating under the criteria for mental disorders. The decision also granted an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals are mixed, with some issues granted and others denied or remanded. The main claims include increased ratings for various conditions, service connection for sleep apnea, and the propriety of reductions in disability ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including jaw injury, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, tuberculosis with shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting, weight loss, and eye disability. The decisions are based on a finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder, sleep apnea, and pulmonary hypertension are not related to his military service or asbestos exposure. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected asbestos pleural plaque.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including consideration of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran died due to an acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. The VA did not provide any fault in the care provided, as evidenced by a VA opinion that found no evidence of negligence or error on their part.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Video Conference hearing before the Board to be held at the VA Regional Office in San Antonio, Texas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, pes planus, headaches, hypertension, and dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, as defined by VA standards. Therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hypertension in writing, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and CAD due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding herbicide exposure have not been supported by relevant records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after addressing the pending increased ratings claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's increased rating claim for schizophrenia is also granted, with referral to the Director of Compensation & Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his hypertension developed in service or is related to diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his employability, including education and occupational experience.