Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, hypertension, liver disease (including cirrhosis of the liver), erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus all claimed as due to inservice herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service records do not show any evidence of such conditions during or after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, hypertension, COPD, and emphysema, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions. The claim was not based on exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) due to the Veteran's lack of service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The appeal was also denied regarding basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of qualifying service.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained and a medical opinion is requested regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hypertension, and his fatal aortic dissection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if it is proximately due to or chronically aggravated by his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection on a direct basis is denied.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant or his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for hypertension, left hand fracture residuals involving the left 2nd and 5th fingers, and degenerative joint disease of the left great toe were denied. The evidence did not show any current disabilities in these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and bilateral pes planus have been granted initial compensable ratings of 10 percent each.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, hypertension, and liver lesions as not related to the Veteran's military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, as new and material evidence has been received. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss is not substantiated due to lack of current disability related to service, while the claim for hypertension remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for hypertension, a skin disability other than the feet, or a generalized arthritic process due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's conditions are not presumed by regulation to be the result of such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection based on his character of discharge during his period of active service from February 26, 1965 to December 16, 1970.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cellulitis of the right lower extremity is made worse by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis. The Board also finds that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD were related to his active service. The Board found that these conditions contributed substantially and materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of the required criteria for a higher rating in any of his conditions.