Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and a malignant tumor. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, hepatitis B with cirrhosis, and encephalopathy were denied as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or a link to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he attributes to his active duty service or, in the alternative, his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to determine whether his service-connected diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his hypertension and to provide an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's kidney disease and dysfunction are not rated separately from his hypertension. The left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking any cardiovascular disorder to service or service-connected conditions. The appeal was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service records and VA/VA outpatient records, as well as a new examination for hepatitis B.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the Board denied entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by his service-connected cold injury residuals, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, nor is it otherwise causally related to his active duty service. The claim of service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stroke, secondary to his service-connected hypertension is denied as there is no medical evidence of record that he suffered a stroke or currently has residuals of a stroke.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and verifying service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an enlarged prostate, hypertension, and basal cell carcinoma with squamous features (claimed as skin cancers) due to exposure to herbicide agents were denied. The conditions are not considered presumptively related to such exposure.

The Board found no medical basis to link the Veteran's hypertension to his service-connected right kidney removal, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss of the left ear, service connection for hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that PTSD is aggravating his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence. The effective date claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no competent medical nexus indicating its onset in service or secondary to a service-connected disability. Hypertension and heart disabilities are also denied as there is no credible evidence linking them to service, including service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or related to service and denied his claim. The PTSD claim is remanded due to insufficient information for verification of stressors.