Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, Guillain-Barr Syndrome, residuals of upper respiratory infection (COPD), hypertension, and inguinal and cervical lymphadenopathy. The claims were not reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective dates for the granted benefits are established.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the primary cause of his residuals from a cerebrovascular accident and hypertension, with right-sided hemiparesis and hypertension being granted as secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is claimed as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the January 2009 VA examination in addressing the issue of aggravation.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. Service connection for coronary artery disease is also granted as it is aggravated by the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a right thumb disorder were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with asthma and assigned a 30 percent rating. Service connection for hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, and residuals of anti-malarial treatment are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective November 17, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence did not establish he was unemployable prior to this date.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if his hypertension, which he had post-service and attributed to military service, contributed substantially or materially to his death. Additionally, the VA medical treatment for an umbilical hernia repair in August 2005 will be evaluated for any improper care that may have caused his death.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension or hypertension-related disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it was caused by VA treatment in 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected disabilities or medications, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and lumbosacral strain, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining recent medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, residuals of facial and shoulder wounds, and hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension was not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The hypertension appeared at a different time from the diabetes.

The Veteran's glaucoma and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated in service, nor are they related to his diabetes mellitus. The Board finds a preponderance of the evidence against these claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension and chronic renal insufficiency, service connection for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.