Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current back disability is related to service. The remaining issues are also on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his pulmonary sarcoidosis with asthmatic bronchitis was granted, effective July 24, 2009. He is now rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking any service-connected conditions to his death.

The Veteran's hypertension prior to March 19, 2010 was not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and systolic pressure predominately 160 or more. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues involving PTSD, and as a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral cataracts, and erectile dysfunction were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension and allergic rhinitis were evaluated based on their current manifestations, with the hypertension rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7101 and the allergic rhinitis rated as non-compensably disabling under Diagnostic Code 6522. The Board found that neither condition warranted a higher evaluation.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and it is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found that there is no evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his current hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension was not present during service and is not linked to his active duty. His anxiety disorder, diagnosed post-service, may be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder did not clearly and unmistakably pre-exist service, nor were they aggravated by service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show blood pressure readings showing diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more to warrant a higher rating of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101 for hypertension. For the period beginning May 3, 2007, a 30 percent rating is warranted for the Veteran's residuals of fistula in ano.

The Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and is therefore not service-connected.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and major depressive disorder, as well as to adjudicate any potential TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus), asthma, and intractable plantar keratoses. The effective dates for the 20% evaluations were not granted.

The Veteran's current hypertension, heart disease, thyroid cancer, and residuals of thyroidectomy are not related to his service. The Board finds that the claim for these conditions must be denied.