Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Board finds that there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's kidney disorder and hypertension to his service-connected Crohn's disease, thus denying the claims for secondary service connection.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim. The nasal disability issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been granted, with the diabetes receiving a 20 percent evaluation. The hypertension has not received any separate evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II, is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The VA physician concluded that the service-connected right leg deep venous thrombosis did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, as evidenced by the lack of recurrence of DVT and no indication of over-coagulation. The hypertension listed on the cause-of-death certificate was attributed to a different condition (Fen-Phen).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and depression were denied. The right knee disorder rating was also denied. No effective date earlier than October 15, 2004, is granted for the 20% rating of the right knee. There is no evidence to support compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for pneumothorax.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and hypertension. The case must be remanded to obtain additional development including obtaining the Veteran's Air National Guard service records and updated treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is evaluated at a 30 percent rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Veteran has not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of wisdom teeth, tinnitus, vision loss, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depression, but only at a noncompensable rating since May 16, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for hypertension and right shoulder disorder are denied. Diabetes mellitus, type II was granted a 10% rating from May 10, 2004 to May 21, 2007, and a 20% rating effective May 22, 2007.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding new and material evidence in support of her claim for service connection but not for DIC.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, including secondary to hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination. The examiner must determine if there is at least a 50% probability that his obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active service or caused by his pre-existing conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from his second period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) is also granted as it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.