Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, headaches, shortness of breath, hypertension, and thyroid condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology following service and concluded that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and upper extremity nerve disorders are not service-connected as they did not manifest in service or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in a 30 percent disability rating from April 29, 2007 to October 28, 2008 and a 70 percent disability rating from October 29, 2008 to May 5, 2009. Service connection was denied for sinusitis, hypertension, chronic diarrhea, heart palpitations, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral anterior uveitis with bilateral pseudophakia and hypertension have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and his erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, granting both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for hypertension and heart disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues related to a simultaneously contested claim for attorney fees. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and eye disorder to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The case will be returned to the Board for further adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for high cholesterol is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder and hypertension due to incomplete service records, conflicting medical evidence, and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, heel spurs, and arthritis of the hands. The claim for hypertension was also denied as there is no evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's disabilities are not sufficient to meet the criteria for special monthly pension at the aid and attendance rate due to his ability to dress, keep himself clean, and manage daily activities without assistance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of a separate rating for hypertensive heart disease and issuance of a Statement of the Case on the earlier effective date issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his period of service or to any aspect thereof, including PTSD. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current hypertension was not caused by or a result of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic fever, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and arteriosclerotic heart disease were denied. The claim for service connection for rheumatic fever was reopened based on new evidence submitted since the July 1981 denial.

The Board has determined that the appellant's sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and hypertension are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected headaches and lumbar spine disability. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of service connection for hypertension as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder and as a result of Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability required insulin and a restricted diet with regulation of activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction and hypertension, finding that these conditions did not exist at the time of his active duty or were not aggravated by such service.