Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on his hypertension and hypothyroidism secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, as well as his postoperative residuals of prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain medical records. The issues of service connection for hypertension, increased ratings for lumbar strain injury, and hyperhidrosis are pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding no evidence of a current disability related to 'heat stroke' residuals or onychomycosis. The lumbar spine condition was not found to warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied, but his service connection for joint pain (claimed as Reiter's syndrome) claim has been reopened with the submission of new evidence. The Board is unable to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from Reiter's syndrome or if he had it in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia has been dismissed. The chronic allergic rhinitis claim has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension is being considered as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but further development is needed regarding the underlying service connection claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, hypercoagulability disorder (Factor Leiden 5 mutation and protein C and S deficiency), and genitourinary disorder manifested by bladder discomfort are granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not, singly or in combination, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues of service connection for various conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to have its onset in service and has been continuously present since then. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not show that his disability picture warrants an increased rating under any other diagnostic code or exceptional circumstances.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not shown to be proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 13, 2010. The evidence does not show that the diastolic blood pressure was predominantly 110 or more during this period.

The Board has determined that hypertension was incurred in active service and the Veteran's disorder manifested by leg cramps is not related to service. The claim for a low back disability is REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 19, 2008 was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for such at that time.

The Veteran's CAD is presumed due to exposure to herbicides during service. His hypertension, however, did not manifest within one year of separation and thus cannot be presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed carcinogenic tumors and liver cancer are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for erectile dysfunction and hypertension have been remanded due to a need for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and PTSD has been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his left knee disability and 30 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a left knee disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected flat feet. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.