Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, including hypertension, due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his service-connected heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension was denied, and his secondary service connection claim for a neck disability is pending. The Board found that the higher criteria for a compensable evaluation were not met due to blood pressure readings consistently below the required levels.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, is granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hearing loss of the right ear, and tinnitus. The claim for hearing loss of the left ear is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher disability evaluations or establishing service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, skin disorder, hypertension, and vertigo. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic manifestations of these conditions during or within one year after service discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of service in Vietnam and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during his military service, and thus could not grant service connection based on presumptive exposure. Additionally, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to underlying Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a connection between the Veteran's service, herbicide exposure, and his cause of death.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which was documented in service records. The RO must also attempt to obtain private treatment records from Drs. Robert Zylstra and Alden Klein.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, was dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board found that the Veteran did not innocently acquire hepatitis C infection during active service and denied claims for service connection for chronic renal failure, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. The evidence showed no direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if there is a relationship between the appellant's current diagnosis of hypertension and the impression of moderate hypertension noted in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent since April 9, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and residuals of dental trauma to teeth 23, 24, and 25. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his military service or any other condition, including his service-connected migraine headaches. Service connection for the dental trauma claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was managed with oral medication and diet modification prior to February 7, 2008, but required insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities from February 7, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diabetes mellitus and other disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.