Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), headaches, respiratory condition, colon condition or GERD, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine if any current disabilities were incurred in service, including as a result of paint sanding and chipping duties. The examiner must also provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right side hernia, hypertension, and bilateral foot condition (including pes planus and/or calluses) has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied because there is no evidence of a continuity of symptomatology since his period of active military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have tinnitus during service and that it is less likely than not related to any in-service noise exposure. For hypertension, the claim was remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of the case.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, prostatitis, hallux limitus of the left great toe, and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The Veteran is service connected for prostatitis, hallux limitus of the left great toe, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his hypertension is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to pending claims for service connection, which are necessary to decide the hypertension and TDIU claims.

The Board found no credible evidence of the Veteran's claimed conditions and denied all service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was not on the list of diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The claim was also denied for polycythemia vera due to lack of evidence linking it to service or presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis and onychomycosis, status post total matrixectomies, bilateral feet was granted.,Service connection for hypertension, to include due to Agent Orange exposure, chronic headaches, and sinusitis were all denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder either caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with nephropathy was granted an initial rating of 10 percent. Service connection for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were granted as secondary to the service-connected diabetes. However, service connection for conjunctivitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) were denied.

The Board found that hypertension did not develop in service and is not otherwise causally related to service. It was also determined that hypertension was not present to a disabling degree within the first post-service year, nor caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining evidence related to hypertension and PTSD ratings. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and peptic ulcer disease. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability or direct service connection.

The Veteran's neuroma of the right foot was found to have its origin during active military service, and he is granted service connection for that condition. The issue of service connection for essential hypertension remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected essential hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is denied as he did not serve during a period of war and thus does not meet the basic eligibility requirements.