Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, but denied sleep apnea. The Veteran's hypertension is not yet established as a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, gout, and residuals of kidney infection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that there was no confirmed exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on the basis of aggravation by service-connected disability, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma, hypertension, and emphysema with bronchitis due to new evidence indicating a possible continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from performing the duties of a TSA baggage screener, and his current occupation is not unsuitable based on his specific employment handicap and capabilities.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated during active service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and is not proximately due to or the result of a service connected disease or injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a cerebral vascular accident, and back disability with radiculopathy. The new evidence supports these claims by establishing that the conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate notification.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it on a presumptive basis due to its manifestation within one year of separation from service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for alopecia remains pending.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected hypertension from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper based on the evidence at the time of the reduction.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of an increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and denied service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further action.

The Board is remanding the case to provide proper VCAA notice and to readjudicate the claims of reopening service connection for left knee disability and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensably disabling, but is now rated at 10 percent.,For the period prior to May 21, 2008, her migraine headaches have been rated as 10 percent disabling. Since then, they are rated as 30 percent disabling.,The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 1, 2005. Her left knee disability is also rated at 10 percent since that date.,For the cervical spine arthritis, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's renal arterial stenosis with hypertension and hypertensive retinopathy requires continuous medication for control, but his blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. The current disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, without regard to any non-service-connected disabilities or his age, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, hypertension, hiatal hernia, and right index finger fracture are all rated at the minimum noncompensable level. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions based on the current evidence.