Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and colon polyps, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal with regard to his claims for service connection for various conditions. The RO denied these claims in April 2006, and the Veteran was notified of this decision on April 24, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, hypertension, and intracranial aneurysm as there was no evidence showing these conditions had their onset during active duty or were related to any in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since service connection was granted. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his diastolic blood pressure readings were predominantly less than 100 and his systolic pressure readings were predominantly less than 160 throughout the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing hypertension existed prior to his military service and was not aggravated by such service. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and residuals of tuberculosis exposure. The decision also addressed other issues such as bilateral shoulder and knee disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, sacroiliac disorder, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA hospital records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, heart disease, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. The claim of increased rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and dry eye syndrome is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to his active duty service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and to determine if the Veteran's hypertension was incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, as well as whether it contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further evaluation of the Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a comprehensive VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension, including whether it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable since service connection was granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a compensable rating of 10% for hypertension, effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II were not service-connected, with no evidence of onset during or within one year after service. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and heart disease to provide him with a VA examination and opinion regarding whether he had these conditions prior to service, if they were caused or aggravated by service, and if any current disabilities are related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA cardiovascular examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.