Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a duodenal ulcer as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including addressing whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension. The issues of service connection for multiple-joint arthritis and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have pulmonary hypertension and denied his claim for service connection as secondary to achalasia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, vertigo, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran at the time of his hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claims for neurologic disability, including peripheral neuropathy; hypertension; and erectile dysfunction are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues of service connection for hypertension, claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD are pending.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claims for service connection for chronic ischemic heart disease and degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, as well as hypertension secondary to diabetes. He also seeks service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes, and chloracne secondary to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, as well as hypertension secondary to diabetes. He also seeks service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes, and chloracne secondary to herbicide exposure.,,,The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD based on in-service stressors, but his claim has not been verified by the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for chloracne secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, verify exposure to asbestos or oil well fires in service, and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his irritable bowel syndrome and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. His PTSD was granted with a 50% evaluation, effective August 2005. The issue of an extraschedular evaluation for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of gunshot wound, muscle group XIX are shown to be productive of a disability picture more nearly approximated by moderately severe muscle impairment. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for the assignment of a schedular rating of 30 percent, but not higher, for the service-connected residuals of gunshot wound, muscle group XIX are met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or were not aggravated by his period of active service. The evidence does not support a finding of presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Veteran was treated for elevated blood pressure during and after service, but no definitive link between his current condition and military service could be established.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 2000 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an updated VA examination and additional medical evidence. The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis is being evaluated for a disability evaluation greater than 30 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension was not present during service or within one year after discharge, and the VA examiner found that it is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion from the Veteran's private physician. The appeal is currently in process and will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection for heart disorder, vaginal intraepithelial neoplasm, arthritis due to anthrax vaccination, migraine headaches and chronic disability causing swollen lymph glands, swollen gums and sores in mouth. The decision is final as it pertained to a preexisting condition that was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on unemployability. The case is REMANDED to obtain an opinion regarding whether he is capable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.