Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his sacro-illiac and thoracic spine dysfunction with degenerative arthritis was withdrawn at the outset of his hearing. The claims for higher ratings for hemorrhoids and hypertension are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension, secondary to diabetes mellitus, were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other service-connected disabilities that could be linked to the claimed conditions.

The Board finds that the appellant's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated, and is not the result of or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and a total disability rating based on unemployability are pending.

The Veteran's hypertension and CAD were not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to July 11, 2005.

The Veteran's end-stage renal disease with hypertension is not found to be related to his service-connected cirrhosis. The rating for his liver disorder remains at 10 percent.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension, but determined that there was no evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's active service and his current condition. The Board concluded that hypertension did not manifest during or as a result of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin condition, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or event related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign prostatic hypertension (BPH), including a urinary condition and retention, secondary to his service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current urinary retention or BPH related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension with an enlarged heart and acne were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The claims for service connection and cause of death are being remanded as the Appellant has not provided requested medical records or information about the physician who certified the amended death certificate.

The Veteran's low back condition is service-connected, and his acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and PTSD) may be related to service. The lung condition is not service-connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, hypertension, and heart condition. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart flutter and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service. The VA examination report concluded that both conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his education and occupational experience, rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment as of June 29, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by his active service and is not related to any of his service-connected disabilities. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran died of cardiorespiratory failure. The cause of death is not service-connected as there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to any incident in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active service. The increased evaluation for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for education benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Chapter 30 or Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)) to include an extension of the 10-year delimiting date was denied as he did not apply for an extension within one year after his expiration date or within one year of the last day he was prevented from pursuing such a program.