Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board found no current diagnosis of a distinct heart disability other than hypertension, and thus denied the claim for service connection for heart disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, bilateral lung disability, skin disability, and impotence. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, gastritis, and duodenitis were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The disabilities are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to further development of evidence being required. The right knee sprain claim is not granted, and other service connection claims are also not granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's private physician stated that his hypertension was contributed to and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and variances in the rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected nephropathy with hypertension was not shown to be separate and distinct from his service-connected diabetes mellitus prior to August 6, 2002. The effective date for the grant of service connection for this condition is fixed at May 8, 2001, as that is when the regulation enabling service connection for the primary disorder was established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arterial hypertension with proteinuria and glomulosclerosis, low back pain, and a right knee condition, preclude gainful employment. The Board finds that the requirements for a TDIU rating are met.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not cause or contribute to his death. Neither diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nor hyperparathyroidism were shown to have had onset during service or be related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was incurred during her active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication for control, was rated at 10 percent prior to August 20, 2008 and increased to 10 percent thereafter. The rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hepatitis C, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot, ankle and hip injuries, as well as vision loss and hypertension secondary to diabetes, were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, fibromyalgia and/or chronic pain syndrome, and hepatitis C. The decision is final as it was not appealed within the allowed time period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and asthma are not related to service exposure to asbestos, and his heart disease and hypertension are not related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and visual problems, as secondary to DM. The issues were related to whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by DM.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board found that the overpayment of $4,485.33 was properly created due to the Veteran's incarceration and failure to report it in a timely manner, resulting in an overpayment based on reduced compensation benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction are found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.