Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal with regard to the September 2002 and October 2002 rating decisions, which denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, service connection for a heart disorder, service connection for hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a deviated nasal septum and hypertension as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board denied service connection for visual disturbance, dizzy spells, and a skin disease secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's tinnitus was rated at 10 percent, the maximum allowed under the rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, cataracts, residuals of a cold injury, tinnitus, dental disorder, and left leg disorder as there was no evidence to support a diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for PTSD was reopened but ultimately denied due to the lack of a valid diagnosis.

The Board granted a 10 percent initial rating for the service-connected hypertension, but denied an increased initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence linking it to his active service or any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was incurred in or aggravated by active service, while his sleep apnea and skin cancer were not.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not related to his active service or any incident therein and was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as there was no evidence of the condition during service or within a year after discharge, and no medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a stomach ulcer, finding that the preponderance of evidence showed these conditions were not related to service or to an incident of service origin, or to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes or that either condition was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to be productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate.

The Board denied service connection for loss of visual acuity, including as secondary to hypertension, and denied a higher rating for hypertension and a compensable rating for duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, while the claims for depression, anxiety, hearing loss, hypertension, sleep disorder, and skin disorder remain pending further development.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for hypertension, a psychiatric disability, and back disability. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the right hip and total left hip replacement were reopened but ultimately denied on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as it was not shown in service or within the initial post separation year, and is not attributable to service. The claim for dextrocardia was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability were denied. The Board also remanded the issues related to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, and major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and atherosclerotic heart disease status post myocardial infarction, as these conditions were not shown to be caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.