Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease with old myocardial infarction due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection was denied for hypertension, as it is not a presumptively service-connected condition and the Veteran's current diagnosis predates his separation from service by over 30 years.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective July 2005. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's headaches meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to a need for a Travel Board hearing. The specific conditions and issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right hand was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The initial rating for hypertension is granted at 10 percent, effective April 3, 2006. The initial compensable rating for discogenic disease and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine prior to February 14, 2009, was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional VCAA notifications. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's left peroneal nerve palsy with history of left footdrop is rated at 10 percent since September 23, 2006. His hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is manifested by mild to moderate pain, without swelling or callosities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his claims, particularly regarding his service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records from Oak Knoll Naval Hospital.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is due to in-service blood transfusions. Service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to his service-connected post-operative residuals of a cavernous hemangioma of the left chest.

The Board has dismissed the appeal with respect to the claims of entitlement to service connection for a fungal disorder, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link between the conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his pension benefits were properly reduced due to estrangement from his spouse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service as a result of herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. The hypertension was also found to be presumptively related to service due to its association with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran currently has a non-compensable rating for migraine headaches, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and no compensable rating for an abdominal scar. Service connection for hypertension was not established.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's colon cancer, hypertension, and bilateral knee arthritis were incurred in or otherwise resulted from his active service. The disabilities were first diagnosed years after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and his claims for accrued benefits were denied as he did not meet eligibility criteria. The appellant's claims for service connection for Alzheimer's dementia, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a pulmonary condition have also been denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left leg scar disability did not cause or contribute to his death. The underlying causes of death (hypoglycemic coma, metastatic colon cancer, inability to eat, IDDM, and hypertension) were not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.