Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, coronary disease with dilated cardiomyopathy, residuals of frostbite, headaches, shoulder disability, and depression/anxiety. The claim for an eye disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, tinea pedis (foot rash), residuals of necrotic omentum, and prostatitis have all been denied as there is no competent or credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and thus the presumption for diabetes mellitus, type II, does not apply. The Veteran's hypertension was also denied as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current liver disorder and finds that service connection for this condition is denied. For his erectile dysfunction, the Board has found that it is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, restless leg syndrome, and osteoporosis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a secondary service connection theory for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his ratings for adhesive capsulitis of both shoulders. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated as 20 percent disabling, and he was granted peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities. Service connection for foot degenerative joint disease, metatarsalgia, fat pad atrophy, and hypertension were not established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to potential exposure to herbicides during service, and the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and an eye condition are pending.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for service-connected hypertension, the maximum available under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including notifying the Veteran of what evidence is necessary to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and whether there is a relationship between his hypertension and his service-connected pulmonary disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney disease, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were all denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not preexist his service and was not aggravated by it. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and review, including reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The issue of hypertension is remanded as it may be secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, residuals of cold injury to both hands and feet, residuals of cold injury to face and ears, scapula fracture, cervical spine fracture, hypertension, and sleep disorder have been denied. The reasons are provided in the reasoning section.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his current disabilities, including hypertension and biventricular cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.