Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, headaches secondary to service-connected sinusitis, and a sleep disorder secondary to service-connected sinusitis. A 10 percent rating is assigned for the right inguinal hernia repair scar.

The Veteran's hypertension, sinusitis, right knee tendinitis, and lumbosacral strain have been granted initial evaluations of 10 percent each.

The Veteran's death was attributed to coronary artery disease and hypertension, with the VA examiner concluding that PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions require regulation of activities, which is a necessary criterion for any rating above 20 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was noted upon entry into his second period of active duty service and is presumed related to such service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to warrant a compensable evaluation. The initial evaluations for the shrapnel wound injury were denied as they did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension are secondary to his service-connected chronic low back pain with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions related to Vietnam service, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating was increased to 70 percent, and his hypertension and GERD disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, but not by reason of being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain treatment records from Dr. C. Shuler for hypertension, as these records are necessary to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that her disabilities did not render her unemployable and that she met the schedular requirements for consideration but was not permanently and totally disabled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and hepatitis C, finding that there was no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus type II or hypertension due to service connection, as there was no evidence of onset during service and no link between current conditions and military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, dental issues, foot pain, cardiac arrest residuals, pneumonia-related pulmonary granuloma, psychiatric disorder, kidney stones, back injury, hemorrhoids, anal fistula, erectile dysfunction, skin disorders, and varicose veins have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not indicate the development of chronic hypertension following his administration of the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination. The Board finds further evidence is needed to determine if he currently suffers from this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable initial rating for hypertension has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for such a rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. His current 60 percent evaluation for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is encompassed in the renal dysfunction rating.