Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, due to inadequate VA medical examinations and the need for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension have been rated, but the claims for increased ratings are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein. The claim for service connection for PTSD is addressed as part of the psychiatric disability issue.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The issue of hypertension remains pending as it needs further review.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate VA examination that addresses causation and aggravation of the Veteran's hypertension, which is currently service-connected as secondary to PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also determined that it is not secondary to his service-connected thyroid cancer residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's essential hypertension is proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As such, the claim for service connection for essential hypertension secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, and the Board has ordered additional development to determine if it is related to his diabetes or due to exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed at the same time as his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, there is no evidence of a causal or aggravating relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and hepatitis with liver cirrhosis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a neck disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between her military service and these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and skin disorders, all of which were presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, secondary to PTSD. The appeal on the issue of residuals of malaria medications is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding hypertension, hearing loss, jock itch, foot fungus, and left ankle disorder due to his withdrawal of these issues. The case is being remanded for further development on diabetes mellitus, sinus disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension were denied as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for peptic ulcer disease and granted it. Service connection is also granted for status post myocardial infarction and hypertension as secondary to peptic ulcer disease, but not for hiatal hernia and vagus nerve damage.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from active duty, and thus grants service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizure disorder and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.