Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service and rejecting his contention that he developed hypertension due to combat exposure. The Board concluded that service connection could not be granted as the evidence did not show a nexus between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and missing Social Security Administration disability records.

The Board denied service connection for sinus and nasal disorder, bronchitis, and hypertension. The veteran's SFW of the right thigh was granted service connection but not rated higher than 10 percent. His DJD of the right knee was also granted service connection but with a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left eye disability, left leg disorder, or hypertension that is related to his military service. The veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, quadriplegia resulting from a stroke (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and erectile dysfunction (ED) (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus). The conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's quadriplegia were not resolved.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disability that he believes was caused by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for an examination, is necessary before this claim can be decided.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a respiratory disability incurred in service or as secondary to asbestos exposure, and his hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by the residuals of hepatitis, as there is no clinical evidence of hepatitis.,There is also no service connection for heart disorder due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was initially manifested during service and is related to symptoms shown in service, granting service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and hypertension, and granted service connection for renal lithiasis with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus could not establish exposure to herbicides. Diabetes mellitus, Type II, was not shown during service or within one year of separation, nor is there evidence linking it to service. Hypertension was not diagnosed until after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for hypertension, myocardial infarction residuals, or peripheral vascular disease of either lower extremity.,The VA examiner found no evidence to link the veteran's current conditions with his type II diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could make a decision. As a result, the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected nasal condition and did not reopen his claim of service connection for heart murmur due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board also found that hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's current back disability, hypertension, heart disease, skin cancer, and PTSD are related to his military service. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorders, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and aortic insufficiency, were not incurred in service or due to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease. The claim was denied.

The Board found that the appellant's appeal for service connection for cause of death was timely filed, but denied her claims for nonservice connected death pension and accrued benefits due to untimely filing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code due to a lack of an employment handicap.