Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a kidney condition, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or the result of any service-connected disability. The kidney condition claim was reopened but still denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in service. Erectile dysfunction claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is manifested by use of insulin and a restricted diet, but does not require regulation of activities. The claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with associated hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to her active service and denied her claim for service connection.,There is no evidence of a low back disability during service or within one year following separation from active service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking any current back disability to the Veteran's periods of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is manifested by systolic blood pressure readings under 130 and diastolic blood pressure readings predominantly under 100, with continuous medication for control. The criteria for an initial 10 percent disability rating are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder other than asbestosis and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including clarification of medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and National Guard records, and providing a new examination to assess the Veteran's right knee disability and hypertension.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II, were not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service disease or injury that could lead to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus. Service connection for arthritis was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's ED and hypertension are found to be related to his service-connected spine disabilities, warranting service connection. The Veteran is also granted SMC for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD. The case is therefore REMANDED for a VA examination and further adjudication.

The Board has ordered additional development of the claims, including obtaining medical records and information from SSA. The veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and COPD are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and heart disorder, manifested by chest pain and/or clogged arteries are service-connected. The right knee disorder is also service-connected as it was aggravated by a pre-existing injury before service. No new evidence or reopening of claims for hyperpigmentation of the skin has been presented.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pains and high blood pressure are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his service or a service-connected disability, including medications prescribed for his low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and potential service connection issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is as likely as not secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and early renal dysfunction, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as multisystem failure due to status post-repair abdominal aortic aneurysm and severe COPD. The appellant contends that PTSD contributed to his death, but the Board finds insufficient evidence in the record to support this claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by urosepsis, hypertension, anemia, and dementia. The service-connected right knee condition did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, cardiac arrest due to pneumonia with an unclear etiology, was substantially or materially related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for hypertension, bilateral eye disorder, and erectile dysfunction to allow for additional development. The appellant must be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.