Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more since December 23, 2005.,Type 2 diabetes was not incurred or aggravated during active military service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes is denied.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any right knee disability is related to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is service-connected as it was present within one year of his separation from active duty, and there is no evidence to suggest otherwise.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected MDD with anxiety. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the likely nature and etiology of his hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein. The Board also determined that hypertension is not causally-related to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not related to service or his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's renal dysfunction, characterized by elevated BUN levels and chronic kidney disease, warrants an evaluation of 80 percent from July 6, 2009. The condition has not required dialysis or precluded more than sedentary activity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of any service-connected disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was initially manifested during his last period of active service and is presumed to have been incurred therein due to its onset within one year post-service separation.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or eye disability (glaucoma and retinopathy) attributable to his period of active service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological and medical examinations to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and the nature and etiology of his claimed hypertension and heart disease disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a third hearing before a panel of Veterans Law Judges, and the Veteran's request for such.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee or left ankle gout.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not manifest during his period of active service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence linking the condition to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's glaucoma claim is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus cannot be established as the condition was not present in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The hypertension claim has been previously denied but reopened with new evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to any service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not present in service or for several years thereafter, is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and/or PTSD, and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination. The claims of service connection will be adjudicated after these steps are completed.