Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder and hypertension were not incurred in or related to service.,The Veteran's left knee disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent initial rating, and his diabetes mellitus has been granted a 20 percent initial rating. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and chloracne have all been denied.

The Veteran's kidney disability with hypertension is not presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides, and the Board finds no evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as additional medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lung cancer, to include as due to exposure to herbicides, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of lung cancer and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee are being remanded due to a need for further development including scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bursitis of the hands, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, hearing loss, liver disability (including cirrhosis and hepatitis C), psychiatric disability (including PTSD and MDD), hypertension, asbestosis, residuals of a scrape injury to the back, right elbow disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disorder. The Board denied service connection for hypertension and CAD with heart attack as secondary to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he contends is related to his service-connected diabetes. The VA examination conducted in April 2007 concluded that the hypertension is not secondary to diabetes. The Board finds this opinion inadequate and remands the case for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, but has remanded these claims to further develop evidence. The claim for service connection for cardiovascular disorders remains pending.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for hypertension, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's hypertension, hemorrhoids, and hiatal hernia were granted service connection with initial noncompensable ratings. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's elevated blood pressure during service constituted early manifestation of his current condition. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence showing its onset in service or within one year post-service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred due to his diabetes mellitus. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Bexar in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic, identifiable conditions for back disorder, hip disorder, right knee disorder, hearing loss disability, or hypertension. Therefore, service connection is denied.