Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and Type II diabetes mellitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a direct link to service or aggravation by service-connected conditions. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a skull fracture, including post-traumatic headaches, are service-connected. However, hypertension is not service-connected as it did not develop during active duty and there is no evidence linking it to his skull fracture.

The Board finds that service connection for peripheral neuropathy is not warranted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or association with Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for PTSD and hypertension secondary to PTSD are denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability or cardiovascular disease in service, and the medical opinions were not supportive of a connection to service. The veteran's current conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of hernia repair. The veteran underwent a hernia repair while in service and the separation examination noted an umbilical hernia repair scar.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and heart disorder were not incurred in or related to his military service, nor could they be presumed to have been caused by any incident of service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, left hallux valgus with arthritis, and right hallux valgus with arthritis and heel spur syndrome. The RO had initially assigned a noncompensable rating for hypertension but later increased it to 10 percent effective December 1, 2005.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease, postoperative with hypercholesterolemia, was granted effective March 22, 2007. He is now rated at 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have viral meningitis, encephalitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic disability involving memory loss, a chronic disability involving muscle weakness, or asbestosis. The veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran is seeking to establish service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected PTSD. The case has been remanded due to the submission of new medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and unverified in-service events.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated in service, nor are they related to asbestos exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The VA denied an increased rating for hypertension, finding that the veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic renal insufficiency, finding no evidence to support a direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right kidney transplant, post-operative residual of end-stage renal failure, does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records from his reserve service and the need for addendums to VA examination reports.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, effective January 28, 2004.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 20% due to degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and hypertension. The RO determined that he does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities related to his claimed conditions, and therefore, service connection cannot be established for residuals of malaria, hypertension, back injury, or rash as a result of exposure to herbicides. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.