Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD. The claim for diabetes remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right heel spur with bursitis, including a temporary total evaluation pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 (2009) for surgical repair, is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA hypertension examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, eye disorders, bilateral arm weakness, chronic fatigue disorder, and erectile dysfunction are not related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicides. As a result, these claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and multiple diabetic neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, are considered in determining his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The RO must obtain a supplemental opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of those related to hearing loss and arthritis pain. The Veteran was also awarded initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for certain conditions.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and CAD, finding no evidence of a current disability present in service or within one year after separation. The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed heart murmur or residuals of pre-service rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest in service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension, acquired low back disability (claimed as chronic low back pain), stomach scar, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The STRs do not show any signs of these conditions during service, and there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which was diagnosed posthumously. The cause of death listed on his death certificate is 'unknown natural causes,' but it is believed to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in medical records and the need for a VA examination to assess the appellant's functional ability.

The Veteran's hypertension, eczema of the hands and feet, and postoperative retinal detachment of both eyes are all granted service connection. The eye disorder is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disorder was denied as no new and material evidence had been submitted.,Service connection for hypertension could not be established due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current hypertension and heart conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD. Service connection for abnormal sperm and infertility was not granted due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's DM, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and right lower extremity were all rated appropriately.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (T/R) from January 2004 to March 2005 and from December 2005 to September 2006, finding that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a T/R.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current disability related to cervical dysplasia, osteopenia was first diagnosed in service, hypertension has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation, and there is no evidence of a compensable disability for tension headaches or dry eye syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and any associated complications. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type I with hypertension and incomplete erectile dysfunction is also being remanded.