Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear etiology of hypertension, left knee condition and low back pain. The Veteran's claims are not decided at this time.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, myocardial infarction and hypertension were not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The evidence did not show they were incurred in or manifested within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection. The claims of service connection for a left leg disorder, right leg disorder, and low back disorder are addressed on de novo basis due to additional service department records received. Effective dates earlier than May 27, 2005, for the awards of service connection for hypothyroidism and major depressive disorder are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and glaucoma as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hip disorder, hypertension, right shoulder disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, asthmatic bronchitis, pericarditis with syncope, and potassium losing nephropathy. The denial is based on a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service or the undiagnosed illness presumption.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions were denied by the RO, with the denial continuing after additional development was completed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and effective date have been withdrawn. The claims of emphysema, hypertension, coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension, right knee disability, and arthritis of the left hand were previously denied by final decisions. New evidence submitted since those decisions does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, and left thumb disability are all found to be service-connected. The combined rating for these conditions is at least as high as the schedular requirement for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is being remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and migraine headaches, prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for arthritis of the right wrist, right knee, and lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is chronically aggravated by his service-connected diabetic nephropathy. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, residuals of stomach cancer, and an initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for myositis, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability characterized by depression and anxiety. However, the claims are not granted as new and material evidence was submitted but does not establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate evaluation for his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examination reports and requests for opinions.