Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The veteran's medical conditions, including hypertension, hepatitis C, lumbar disc disease, gunshot wound residuals of the right leg, gallstones, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, do not render him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for his claimed bilateral knee, left hip, and cervical spine disabilities. The hypertension claim was denied as there were no diastolic pressures predominantly 110 or higher.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbar spine disability, COPD, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity for any of these conditions.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to determine the date of onset and aggravation of hypertension during service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have hypertension, fatigue, or muscle weakness related to his military service. The claims were denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disorder, reactive airway disease, and sinusitis with headaches were denied. Service connection for hypertension was also denied. The veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has granted a separate 60 percent evaluation for coronary artery disease secondary to hypertension, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection and a TDIU, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to his service-connected disabilities or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and heart disability are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied both claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have dysthymic disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, or bilateral hearing loss that is attributable to his period of military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation of the veteran's disabilities, as well as a determination on whether he is unemployable due to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran's right shoulder and hip conditions are service-connected, with hypertension being denied as not related to his active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of medical opinions regarding the veteran's hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for asthma prior to the Board's decision. The remaining issues of service connection and increased ratings are remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia and hypertension are presumed to be incurred during his service in the Persian Gulf War, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.