Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his authorized representative.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension since February 13, 2002. The Veteran's right elbow disability was also found to have originated in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and amputation of right toes did not have onset during service or within one year of separation from service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active service including as due to any exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH insurance) due to his non-service-connected disabilities, including COPD and multiple strokes, which rendered him not in 'good health'.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hypertension is shown to be manifested by a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control. However, it is not shown to have been manifested by systolic pressure approximating 200 or diastolic pressure approximating 110. The Board finds that his hypertension more closely approximates the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a cardiovascular disability during service and denied the claim as there is not sufficient medical evidence to link current cardiac issues to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during service or due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to Agent Orange either. As such, service connection for hypertension could not be established.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, hernia, and kidney stones were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his hypertension, which was a significant condition contributing to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran died due to Alzheimer's-Dementia, hypertension, and prostate cancer. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder caused or contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and atypical chest pain, did not manifest during her service or due to any incident therein. The Board also determined that these conditions were not related to her service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to determine if he was exposed to herbicides and pesticides in Thailand, which could affect his diabetes mellitus claim. The remaining issues will be reviewed after this determination.

The Veteran's hypertension is reopened as there is evidence that it may be related to service. The Veteran's back and neck disabilities are also reopened as the additional evidence suggests they may be due to service.,The claims of service connection for residuals of a back injury (degenerative disc disease) and residuals of a cervical spine injury (degenerative disc disease) are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical treatment records from the appropriate sources.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and a low back disorder. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for a neck disorder, numbness of the hands and feet, and basal cell carcinoma of the upper lip.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disease were both pre-existing conditions that did not become manifest during service or within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran seeks nonservice-connected pension benefits due to permanent and total disabilities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration disability compensation records, and a VA examination.