Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the new evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower bilateral extremities, as well as hypertension, have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,There is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy or hypertension in the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of hypertension remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a video conference hearing at the local VA office in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current facial scarring due to a gunshot wound and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claim of secondary service connection for hypertension as related to diabetes mellitus, type 2, was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hypertension during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. His hypertension claim, however, was granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his spouse's dependency status prior to May 1, 2009, was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea and glaucoma was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and heart disease (including hypertension and atrial fibrillation) were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left and right ankle disabilities, left and right leg disabilities, or hypertension. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current disability is likely due to disease or injury incurred in active service. Service connection was denied for cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension were denied. The issues of increased evaluations for the service-connected laceration of the right frontal area of the head, generalized anxiety disorder, and TDIU by reason of service-connected disability are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle sprain and associated conditions, osteoarthritis of the hips, and hypertension, are rated at a combined 70 percent. However, they do not preclude him from engaging in any regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted his claim for coronary artery disease. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current cardiovascular disorder and service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the claims and concluded that there was no direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or his service-connected diabetes. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins did not cause or contribute to his death due to heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his death while the appeal was pending before the Court.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hypertension and hepatitis C.