Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claims for cause of death benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes were not granted service connection due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service. The Veteran's current evaluation for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in active military service.,Hypertension was not shown during service or within the first post-service year, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Therefore, presumptive service connection for hypertension based on herbicide exposure is denied.,Hypercholesterolemia is a laboratory finding and not a recognized disability for which VA benefits may be awarded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a new examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not attributable to his service-connected cervical strain, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and a back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and ensuring compliance with the duty to assist. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this is done.

The Board found that the Veteran's left nephrectomy was not service connected and denied his claims for secondary service connection.

The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, left upper extremity tremor, hypertension, heart disease (claimed as coronary artery disease), positional vertigo, and sleep apnea are secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury.

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

The Veteran's death was caused by arteriosclerotic vascular disease, which is a direct service-connected condition.,The appellant has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen her claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, heart disorder, dental disability, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction are denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a relationship to service.,There is no current diagnosis of a dental disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy. Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted on a direct basis due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury, disease, or event and the absence of medical records showing treatment within one year after service.,The Board finds that diabetes mellitus type II is not related to active service as there is no evidence of its onset during service. The Veteran's blood pressure readings were normal at separation from service and post-service hypertension was first diagnosed years later.,Service connection for a heart disorder, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction cannot be granted on a secondary basis because diabetes mellitus type II is not a service-connected disease.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes and knee disabilities do not render him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes as he is able to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as they do not meet the criteria set forth in the applicable regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (including as secondary to diabetes mellitus and exposure to herbicide agents), renal insufficiency (including as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or a showing of continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed residual cervical sprain, which is a neck disorder, was first manifested during active duty service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Sjogren's syndrome and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as ischemic heart disease, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss disability are related to his service-connected heart condition.