Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension and unspecified metabolic disorder were not found to be related to his active service, and thus denied for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a separate evaluation for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hypertension, migraines, a heart disorder, asthma, and bilateral lung disorder. The issues were remanded multiple times but ultimately remained denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension and coronary artery disease, benign prostatic hypertrophy, colon condition, rheumatism, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and kidney condition. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption of service connection.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 80% for service-connected disabilities and is employed in suitable employment, thus meeting the criteria to deny his request for VA vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and posttraumatic stress disorder. The VA examiner opined that there were no specific factors suggesting these conditions caused or worsened the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for chronic hypertension is granted as there is evidence showing it had its onset during his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for abdominal aneurysm, hypertension, prostate disability, or respiratory disorder. The appeals were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not presumed to have been so incurred. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension due to further development, including a VA medical examination and consideration of whether his current condition is related to service or pre-existing.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional compensation benefits due to his dependent spouse J.L.W. is denied as there was no valid marriage or dependency status change prior to July 1, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and granted it, finding that new evidence related to a nexus between the current disability and active duty service. The claim of service connection for hypertension is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant treatment records and ensuring all applicable laws and regulations are considered.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for entitlement to service connection for hypertension, which was dismissed due to his request.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis began during service and has continued since, granting service connection for this condition. The right knee disability is not related to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension with secondary atrial fibrillation, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service within one year of discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, including as a result of his exposure to herbicides. The condition is also not proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened and granted. His rating for neural foraminal narrowing at L5-S1 secondary to mild disc protrusion and facet arthrosis with right-sided lumbosacral radiculopathy symptoms was increased to 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment, and thus DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.