Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, status post bilateral hip replacement, hypertension, and arthritis of the ankles, shoulders, and cervical spine with radiculopathy were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant has not provided evidence of a new and material claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension existed prior to service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service. The Board found that the preexisting condition was aggravated by a post-service event, but as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of such aggravation, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive exposures during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and seborrheic dermatitis have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The earliest documented treatment for high blood pressure is from June 2004, more than 30 years after separation from service.,There is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of enlarged prostate and the earliest documented treatment is from October 2005, over 10 years after separation from service. The Veteran's assertion that his enlargement was due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam lacks support.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The arthritis claim remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during non-VA ambulance transport and treatment at a private medical facility on October 7, 2008 were not reimbursable as the services did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected total disability due to permanent nature of a condition allowed payment for medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on February 13, 2008 due to an emergency situation.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants this claim.

The Veteran's headaches were not diagnosed during service or post-service, and there is no evidence of a current disability.,Hypertension was initially diagnosed in the late 1990s. The Board notes that diabetes mellitus was first diagnosed in August 2009, which predates hypertension by approximately one decade. Therefore, secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction as a residual of prostate cancer, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service or any period of ACDUTRA exposure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Type Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease, all claimed as secondary to chemical exposure in Guam. The claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA compensation examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, determine the completeness of his service treatment records, and provide him with VA examinations for his claimed high blood pressure, stomach disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II and eczema (claimed as rash/itching), are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that there was no nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, fungus of toenails, left thigh and groin, and tingling and numbness of hands and feet due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease.