Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for pulmonary tuberculosis, effective from the date of inactivity following active pulmonary tuberculosis. The veteran's hypertension and heart disorder are not service connected as they were not caused by his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a respiratory disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for headaches secondary to hypertension and sleep apnea as secondary to the respiratory disorder.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, hypertension, and hypertensive heart condition due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, skin rashes, benign prostatic hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, and essential hypertension have all been denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct or presumptive link to his military service.

The Board has determined that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by the veteran's active duty service and denied the claim. The arthritis issue is being referred to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for dysthymia with depressive features, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a causal connection between these conditions and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board determined that recoupment of the veteran's separation pay in the amount of $24,039.94 is proper for his awards of disability compensation for bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and depression as there was no competent evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed hypertension and whether it is related to service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, hearing loss, coronary artery disease, and shortness of breath. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and his diabetes mellitus reduction from 40% to 20% has been granted. The claim for an increased rating for hypertension remains denied.

The veteran's sleeping disorder, including sleep apnea, is granted service connection. The veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% evaluation. Service connection for the residuals of asbestos exposure is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, residuals of a neck injury, hypertension, hepatitis A, left ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran died of cardiorespiratory failure, with hypertension and pneumonia as significant contributing causes. The Board finds that the cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability or his active service.

The veteran's request for service connection for hypertension is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus with hypertension and impotence, as the veteran did not have these conditions during or due to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a VA examination. The veteran's hypertension is being evaluated in relation to his service history.