Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), were denied as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to insufficient recent medical evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not etiologically related to his service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin during active service or within the first post-service year and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. The claim for a right shoulder disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence of current symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 21, 2005. The Board found that the disability picture prior to this date did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and whether his service-connected neurological condition is related to his current symptoms.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death (asystole due to congestive heart failure) did not develop during his active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran had been service-connected for PTSD, but this condition was not considered the principal or contributory cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than July 10, 2003 for the grant of service connection for hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and coronary disability are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from the West Los Angeles VAMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and an opinion on whether the Veteran's death is related to his service-connected PTSD and/or hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral pain in the hands.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is unrelated to his active duty service and denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's back injury residuals, left knee chondromalacia patella, and right knee chondromalacia patella are not entitled to increased disability ratings as they do not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to a disease, injury, or event during service. The current hypertension is also not shown to be caused by or made permanently worse by service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disability, and the in-service incurrence or aggravation of hypertension may not be presumed.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during his active military service, and the Board finds no evidence linking it to a period of qualifying service. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed due to his death.