Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's lung cancer was not related to service, and his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran claimed service connection for hypertension, but the Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation. The current diagnosis of hypertension could not be linked to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the arms, wrists and hands is denied. The Board found no medical evidence of such injuries or their residuals. For PTSD, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his requests to reopen these claims. The Board also denied several other disability evaluation claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and CAD were not found to be related to his service or diabetes, respectively. His type II diabetes mellitus was rated as 20 percent disabling effective February 12, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatism with lumbago and hypertension, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran's claimed disabilities were not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for cardiovascular disorders, chloracne, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of Interferon treatment, finding that VA did not cause any additional disability resulting from the treatment.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right knee condition, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as his increased rating claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for right hip disability, left foot/ankle disability, visual impairment, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely than not related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for heart disease remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not related to his service or a service-connected condition, including herbicide exposure. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension and whether it was aggravated by service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for heart condition and CVA are also inextricably intertwined with the issue of hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, hypertension, and degenerative joint disease of the upper and lower extremities. The decision also addressed other issues related to his disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and hiatal hernia with GERD did not exist prior to his second period of active service (2004-2006) and were not aggravated by such service. The conditions are therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5295, and a higher evaluation of 20 percent is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO provided the Veteran with multiple opportunities to submit evidence, but he failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a direct service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his active military service or any service-connected disability.