Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is manifested by the need for continuous medication for control, a history of diastolic pressure predominantly under 100, and a history of systolic pressure predominantly under 160. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran died from respiratory depression due to acute morphine intoxication. The appellant claims that the death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety with depression and PTSD, which may have led him to abuse painkillers like morphine. The Board finds a need for additional development to determine if the cause of death is related to service connection.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. However, due to a lack of continuity of symptoms since service separation, the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to her active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right hip disabilities, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sinus disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and swollen neck glands. The evidence submitted since the previous denial was found not to be new and material.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to develop and adjudicate his claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, neck pain, hypertension, multiple joint pain, diverticulitis, impotence, and arterial calcification in the left ankle region, secondary to PTSD.

The Board finds that hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants the Veteran's claim for service connection. The Board also finds that cholangiocarcinoma, likely due to exposure to parasites in Vietnam, was caused by service and grants the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disability, and a disability manifested by blood in the stool are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His malaria claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran's heart disease, claimed as related to exposure to ionizing radiation during service, is not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's hypertension claim.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The status and nature of the claims for allergic rhinitis and sinus bradycardia are unclear, with conflicting information in the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia status post pacemaker implant due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including ED and sleep apnea, as they were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible evidence supporting his reported in-service stressors and current symptoms. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded, as are the hypertension claims.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with bypass grafting results in left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 50 percent and METs in the range of 5 to 7. He is now rated at 60 percent for this condition beginning April 21, 2010.

The Veteran's hypertension was not granted a compensable rating prior to January 25, 2008 and denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's cardiac residuals of rheumatic fever were aggravated by military service and led to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on other conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings have never met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease. The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the relationship between these conditions.