Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on service connection and aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension began in service and is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension were not incurred in active service or as a result of service-connected disability. These conditions are presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides, but there is no evidence showing such exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and his diabetes mellitus Type II claim remains pending as the RO has not taken further action on it. The claims for service connection for a back condition and chest condition have been reopened but are otherwise denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and ulcers, but denied them based on lack of new and material evidence. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to its inextricability with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, cervical spine disorders, lumbosacral spine disorders, residuals of a left humeral fracture (steel plate in left arm), and severe joint disease are not related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for hypertension has been denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for benign essential hypertension, including as secondary to the service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been dismissed. His appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to incomplete VCAA notice, need for VA examinations, and other procedural issues.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined in Des Moines, Iowa, to determine if his atrial fibrillation is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation for all service-connected disabilities was denied prior to November 4, 2005. The issue of entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic arthritis of the right knee is also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing private treatment records for hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no competent and persuasive evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for heart murmur and hypertension, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred. The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, with depression, has been granted. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the Remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and diabetic retinopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disorder did not begin in service, was not caused by any incident of service, and was not caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board finds that it did not result from his active military service.