Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), arthritis of the elbows, and eye disability were all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the claims remain denied as there is no clear evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and hypertension, but denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 11, 2007, and a higher rating for duodenal ulcer with GERD.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to multiple disabilities, including knee conditions, depression, tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy, and arterial disease. The Veteran is found unemployable by reason of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disorder and cardiomegaly, lung disorder, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other service connection criteria met.

The Veteran's skin conditions and hypertension were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, hearing loss, neck disability, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability. The appeal is remanded to verify the Veteran's claimed periods of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an appropriate VA examination to determine if the appellant is in need of regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to lack of recent treatment records. His PTSD claim is also being remanded as his symptoms have worsened in the last year and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities have been denied. The Board finds that the current 10 percent ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not warrant a higher rating since the effective date of service connection, as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of hearing on some issues and because one claim is stayed based on new presumptions. The remaining eight claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and left thumb tenosynovitis due to incomplete records and lack of proper examination regarding her Reserve service.

The Veteran's hypertension, GERD, and bilateral foot disability are all granted service connection. The GERD is based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a chronic kidney disability, an eye disability (diabetic maculopathy and diabetic retinopathy), and pancreatitis due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to her service-connected mitral valve prolapse disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also denied his claims for increased ratings for residuals of shrapnel wounds of the right hand, right knee with scar, and limitation of extension associated with residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right knee.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on the relationship between the service-connected diabetes and the diagnosed hypertension.

The Board denied all claims for service connection, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset during or as a result of his military service.