Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension, ruptured left ear drum, and serum hepatitis (hepatitis B) are all related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's claimed low back disability, hypertension, and residuals of coronary artery bypass are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hypertension, hiatal hernia with reflux, and major depression are all service-connected. The effective date for these determinations is not specified in the decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to a scheduling issue.

The veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, hypertension, residuals of brain surgery, benign prostatic hypertrophy (claimed as prostate), and hepatitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, asthma, and malaria. The claim for hearing loss is being remanded.

The veteran's hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating as his diastolic pressure has never been predominantly 100 or more and his systolic pressure has never been predominantly 160 or more.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Integris SW Medical Center from November 1 to November 2, 2004 are approved as the services were rendered in an emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension existed prior to his military service and was not aggravated by his service. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular condition was not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and heart disability were not incurred during service or due to any service-connected condition, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a noncompensable disability rating. The claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and diabetic retinopathy is remanded due to incomplete records.

The VA medical opinion concluded that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia did not cause or contribute to his death due to hypertension and COPD, which were noted in the ICU following resuscitative efforts with sympathomimetic agents.

The Board finds that the veteran's claimed coronary artery disease and hypertension are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hip condition, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service, particularly given the presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's nonservice-connected erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including medications for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes and residuals of a left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that there is a need to obtain additional evidence, including service personnel records and VA treatment records, in order to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The veteran is seeking a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, but the VA has not provided an examination assessing whether he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.