Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and atherosclerotic heart disease of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries and impotence has been rated at 60 percent, reflecting constant albuminuria with some edema.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sciatica, and hypertension. The decision found that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor supporting a diagnosis of PTSD, and also concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support service connection for sciatica or hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diverticula, diverticulitis, or diverticulosis on a secondary basis to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD or irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for cold weather residuals, bilateral hands and feet. The Veteran's other claims were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vision loss and dismissed his petition to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is referred back to the RO. The claims of increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, is not related to a service-connected disability (diabetes mellitus), and is not related to exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service in Iraq.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder, muscle and joint pain, and depression. Service connection was granted for the left ring finger scar with an initial noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's heart condition, including irregular arrhythmia, and his hypertension were not found to be related to service. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants TDIU effective November 10, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral glaucoma, hypertension, and heart disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II are denied due to lack of legal merit. The Veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and is not entitled to a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sciatica, and hypertension. The decision found that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor supporting a diagnosis of PTSD, and also concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support service connection for sciatica or hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to travel for a hearing, and will schedule a videoconference hearing at the next available opportunity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are being remanded to the RO for scheduling a DRO hearing and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has requested medical opinions and additional evidence, including a new medical opinion from Dr. M.S., supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and residuals of bladder cancer. The case is being remanded to allow for local consideration of this newly added evidence.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and kidney disability (secondary to hypertension) as direct service connection.,Evidence showed the Veteran had hearing loss in December 1974, which is considered a compensable degree of hearing loss. His hypertension was also found to be related to his active duty service.