Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as his unemployability is primarily due to his bipolar disorder, not his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for PTSD, benign prostatic hypertrophy, a skin disability (dyshidrotic eczema of both feet), hypertension, any abnormality of the reproductive system, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. The claims are now reopened.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by his service. The medical evidence did not support a connection to his service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pains, prostate condition, and hernia. The claim for hypertension was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and service personnel records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for major depression, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether his current hypertension disability is related to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination to determine the severity of his major depression.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder. The case must be remanded to obtain all available service treatment records and personnel records from his active duty service and National Guard service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including OCD and depressive disorder NOS, is related to his service. His hypertension is not shown to be directly related to his service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no hypertension found to be service-connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and finds that while he was not diagnosed with hypertension during his active duty, evidence shows it began shortly after discharge. The Board also finds no direct or presumptive service connection is warranted as there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current hypertension and his military service.

The Board found that hypertension, first diagnosed after service beyond the one-year presumptive period, is unrelated to an injury or event of service origin and not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability (migraine headache).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the July 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension. The VA has determined that the Veteran did not have hypertension during service and there are no post-service medical records showing a diagnosis of hypertension meeting VA criteria. However, the case is being remanded to refer the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if he currently has a diagnosis of hypertension and whether it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches.

The Board found no evidence of a current right leg, left leg, or heart condition related to service. The Veteran's claim for hernia and hypertension was also denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claims for service connection, as well as a VA audiology examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diverticulitis/diverticulosis, and traumatic brain injury.