Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as service connection for benign schwannoma. The veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus due to lack of insulin or regulation of activities. His hypertension claim remains pending, and he must provide evidence showing its onset during service or being related to any in-service injury or disease. Service connection for benign schwannoma cannot be established as the tumor was initially characterized as benign but later found to be malignant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hypertension did not manifest until many years after service and is not shown by the evidence of record to be related to his active duty service, or causally related to or otherwise aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for generalized arthritis of the fingers, shoulders and hips.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension. The veteran's hypertension is not related to active duty or presumed due to exposure.

The Board is considering multiple claims for service connection, including prostate cancer and various other disabilities. The veteran's petition to reopen his claim for left hand/wrist scar has been granted due to the submission of new evidence. However, no new or material evidence was submitted to support reopening the claims for hearing loss, hypertension, eye disability, sexual dysfunction, left foot disability, skin disability, residuals of partial right nephrectomy, and prostate cancer.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension, residuals of cardiac bypass surgery, arthritis of the cervical spine, and a head injury with residual headaches, were not shown in service or for several decades following separation. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Tic Disorder/Tourette's Syndrome and Disability of Wrist and Fingers. Service connection was granted for Hypertension.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an eye condition. The claim for flat feet was not addressed due to a procedural issue.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including visual impairment, hypertension, coronary artery disease, cataracts, glaucoma, and a bladder growth are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied an increase in a 20 percent rating for hypertension, finding that the veteran's service-connected hypertension is manifested by no more than diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the left great toe, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The veteran is seeking increased ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the relationship between the veteran's hypertension and his service-connected PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus, type II. The examiner will determine if the veteran's hypertension is caused by or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and VCAA notice, as well as further development of the record.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's hypertension with an EKG abnormality, finding that his blood pressure did not consistently meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, impotence, arthritis, bursitis, prostate disability, and psychiatric disabilities were denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to active service or service-connected diabetes with early nephropathy and bilateral inguinal fungal infection.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have exposure to Agent Orange during his military service and therefore cannot establish a presumption of service connection for any conditions related to such exposure. The claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, heart disorder, and stomach disorder are all denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by negligence on the part of VA in providing medical treatment, and thus denied DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD. As a result, service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension. The issue of an increased rating for allergic rhinitis is still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have coronary artery disease or hypertension due to service, and any current conditions are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, asbestosis, back disorder, and hypertension. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. Right ear hearing loss, asbestosis, and back disorder are not related to military service. Hypertension was diagnosed during the appeal period.