Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for pericarditis (angina/palpitations) and hypertension, finding that these conditions are proximately due to her service-connected meningioma.

The Board is considering whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of hypertension. If so, they will decide if this new evidence is sufficient to reopen the claim and grant service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 1, 2007.,Prior to February 22, 2010, the Veteran's hypertension was not assigned a compensable rating. Since then, he has been assigned a 20 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and personnel records from his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a low back disorder, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or any pre-existing condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, and assigned a 10% evaluation. The other issues were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his blood pressure readings have consistently fallen below the threshold required for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, cerebral vascular disease to include the residuals of a stroke, and respiratory disorder (asthma) secondary to his service-connected PTSD have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for atopic dermatitis was denied. The RO increased the disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective April 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the nature and etiology of any knee disability is related to service. The appellant's claim remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing in-service exposure or manifestations within one year following separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and a left foot disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The amputation of the right foot was found not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that a cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension, was not shown in service and did not manifest within one year of discharge. The earliest post-service indication of a cardiovascular disorder is from July 2007, nearly 36 years after discharge. The Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms since active service were deemed not credible due to the significant gap between his reported onset and the actual evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease, or nonmalignant thyroid disease, and his military service. The conditions were not first manifested during active duty or within one year post-service, and there is no credible evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus, requires additional development as the VA examination was not conducted with all relevant records available.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's incarceration, including arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a skin condition claimed as tinea cruris, and bronchial asthma. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any incident of service origin.