Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he contends is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II or PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and both conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he attributes to in-service stressors. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to kidney stones. The claims of service connection for left elbow and shoulder disabilities have also been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, resulting in a denial.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board has affirmed the denial of service connection for hypertension. The case is being returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's essential hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, including as due to diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and thus grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a left wrist disability, as well as an increased rating for neuropathy of the right radial nerve. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and low back disability due to incomplete development of medical records, need for further examination, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for color blindness, and service connection for diabetes mellitus were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The Board found that there was no evidence of diabetes mellitus in service or within one year post-service, thus denying service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of a gunshot wound during service and the Veteran's claimed conditions are not linked to any incident of service. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the chest with or without cardiac involvement, including hypertension and narcolepsy, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not, singly or in combination, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder did not cause or contribute to his death. The medical evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, or other conditions leading to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and impotence. The criteria for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus have not been met; the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation or higher for diabetic retinopathy have not been met; the criteria for an evaluation greater than 10 percent for hypertension have not been met; and the criteria for a compensable rating for impotence have not been met.

The Veteran's lower extremity edema and anemia are found to be proximately due or the result of his service-connected chronic renal failure. The Veteran's hypertension is not currently related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and thus service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an increased rating for left shoulder strain, service connection for atrophic right kidney, thoracic spine disorder, hypertension, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, residuals of tubal ligation, and residuals of both bunionectomies. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the increased rating for left shoulder strain.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain and hypertension, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to military service.