Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to military service or a service-connected disability, and denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's hypertension and chronic headache disorder are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for higher initial ratings for DJD of the right and left knees. The hypertension claim remains on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back disability, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service. The conditions did not meet criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides or other factors.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a liver condition. The remaining claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records, verifying Agent Orange exposure, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension and diverticulitis, status-post colon resection were denied. The evidence did not show the required symptoms to warrant a compensable rating under applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, and residuals of a shrapnel injury to his left foot. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD had not been adjudicated by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disorder, heart disorder (coronary artery disease), and rash are all service-connected. The central nervous system disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hypertension, and prostate disorder were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for further medical development concerning the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that the conditions are presumptively related to exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on diastolic pressure or arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations addressing the effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle and foot disorders, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and headaches. Service connection for hypertension was not established as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, and thus grants service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hypertension have been granted service connection, with the hypertension receiving an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint of his right thumb, and also addressed the issues of hypertension secondary to PTSD/Agent Orange exposure and TDIU. Service connection was granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.