Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss, heart disorder (including hypertension and coronary insufficiency), stomach disorder (including peptic ulcer disease and gastritis), and arthritis are all related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and aortic stenosis status post valve replacement with congestive heart failure. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for hypertension from April 6, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and low back disability did not manifest during his period of service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms after discharge. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his left shoulder arthritis with a history of instability and dislocation (minor) is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for hypertension was granted effective December 29, 2003, and service connection for spondylolysis with anterolisthesis, L1-S1, was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and his time in the military.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease with hypertension is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and cannot be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were granted effective October 11, 2006. The Board denied an earlier effective date for these benefits.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension in service and denied the claim for service connection.,Bilateral tinnitus was not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and an unspecified eating disorder. Service connection for PTSD, other acquired psychiatric disorders, and sleep apnea is remanded.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension is rated at 10% due to continuous medication. His bilateral hearing loss is also rated at 10%. The ratings are based on the severity of his disability as determined by VA audiometric evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a bilateral eye disability as not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board Hearing. The issues are about service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction and hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus are granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or right knee disability and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.