Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for a herniated nucleus pulposus L4/L5 with sciatica, incurred during the Veteran's second period of active duty. Service connection was also granted for hypertension, as it is at least as likely as not that the condition increased in severity beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of both conditions are supported by competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings, entitlement to TDIU, and entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.,Service connection for hypertension was denied in a March 2002 rating decision. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary as the October 2007 VA examination did not address whether the service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravated the hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, vascular problems and erectile dysfunction, all claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and hypertension were denied. His claim for an increased rating for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and tension headaches was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are not related to service or secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism. Therefore, she is denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease with bypass grafting are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran has type II diabetes mellitus that is the result of disease or injury incurred during active military service, and hypertension secondary to type II diabetes mellitus. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and its incurrence or aggravation during active service may not be presumed. Diabetes mellitus was also not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and its incurrence or aggravation during active service may not be presumed. Resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor, hepatitis C was incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, effective January 27, 2005. The post-operative residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 10 percent prior to August 26, 2005 and 20 percent thereafter. Erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted as of April 11, 2003. The effective date cannot be earlier than this date.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for status post fracture of the left foot and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions warrant a higher rating based on their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and arteriosclerotic heart disease, respectively. The VA examiners are requested to provide opinions on whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bronchial asthma, fatigue, gastrointestinal disability, and hyperlipidemia. The decision also denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder) as secondary to sinusitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disease, chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, PTSD, and learning disorder. The decision is based on the evidence of record at the time of the April 2003 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability was incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The issue of tinnitus will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, hypertension, and sleep apnea have all been denied as these conditions are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.