Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that arthritis of the neck, hypertension, and a heart disability were not incurred during or related to his active duty service. The Veteran's PTSD was found to have caused occupational impairment but not to a degree warranting an initial rating in excess of 30 percent. His right shoulder degenerative joint disease did not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned. Finally, there were no issues regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD and HTN were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct link between the conditions and his military service.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the Veteran's death to his service or a service-connected disability. The cause of death was listed as unknown natural causes, with cardiac dysrhythmia, hypertension, and congestive heart failure identified as other significant conditions contributing to death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are addressed in the decision. The Board found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen several previously denied claims, but did not grant any of the individual claims due to lack of evidence supporting the claims or because they were otherwise not supported by the preponderance of the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder, as well as the reopening of the bilateral foot disorder claim. The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arterial hypertension and high cholesterol, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and syncope were denied as there was no evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's heart disorder did not warrant service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to and the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, granting him service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and residuals of a stroke, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not manifest in service or to a degree of 10 percent within one year of discharge and is unrelated to any incident of service origin.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during his military service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran did not meet threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of active duty service.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease with carotid stenosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), and renal insufficiency, as they are not shown to be related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. For his hypertension claim, the preponderance of evidence is against finding a direct relationship to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not originate in service or within one year of service and is not related to any incident of service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hypertension.