Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disease were found to be service-connected, with the heart disease being secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings, finding that his claimed conditions were not established as incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, high cholesterol, right knee disability, psychiatric disorder, cardiovascular disease, low back disability, osteoarthrosis, allergies, Peyronie's disease, and broken right foot were denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran did not have any cardiovascular issues during service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding whether her pre-existing hypertension was aggravated during service, and for a determination on her right shoulder injury claim.

The Veteran claims service connection for hypertension, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining private medical records and requesting an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current left eye glaucoma and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. As such, the claim for DIC benefits due to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam. Service connection for hypertension and basal cell carcinoma are granted based on the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition (presumptive due to herbicide exposure) is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hair loss, to include as due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a peptic ulcer with gastrointestinal bleeding is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, hypertension, and dental trauma to the RO for additional development due to new evidence received since the July 29, 2010 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, speech disorder, or residuals of head trauma to the left side of the face and left eye. The Board also determined that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a new VA examination to determine if he has any current left ankle disorder and whether his hypertension is related to service. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims, and that the claim must be denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiac disability and hypertension are not related to service or service-connected PTSD, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied service connection for cervical spine arthritis and hypertension.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the service-connected conditions (amputation and hearing loss) did not cause or contribute to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and assigned a zero percent rating. The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ophthalmic artery aneurysm was pending until April 2003, when she was granted such service connection. The effective date is set at September 9, 1996.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is related to his military service and granted service connection for major depressive disorder.