Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims was caused by his service-connected anxiety reaction and/or diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.,There was insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between the top front teeth removal during service and current dental disability, leading to denial of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's skin cancer, to include residuals, was incurred in active service and granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his current hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his period of active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, high blood pressure, and stomach disorder. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia, is related to his military service. Additionally, the evidence supports a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and issuing a statement of the case on the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's hypertension claim is also remanded for another examination.

The Veteran's skin condition involving the left side of his face is currently rated at 80 percent, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under the Diagnostic Codes for scars. The effective date remains March 16, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy, arterial hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease have not been manifested by persistent edema or albuminuria with BUN of 40 to 80 mg% or creatinine of 4 to 8 mg%, which would warrant a higher rating. The claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no competent evidence linking it to service, despite elevated blood pressure at separation. The claim for vision disorder remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not start during service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in his military service. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus also fails.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including records from private physicians and VA treatment providers.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and hypertension. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of an injury to the rib cage are denied.