Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and osteoarthritis due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from 1978 and 1988.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not warrant a rating greater than the currently assigned 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under DC 7101.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for hypertension, as well as increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS) of the right and left knees are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is currently pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to clarify if the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches, vertigo, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are all related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's death was caused by decompensated liver disease and respiratory failure. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of his death, contending that his adenocarcinoma of the prostate contributed to his fatal hepatocellular cancer.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, but concluded that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The issue will be reviewed again after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination assessing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The criteria for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea have not been met.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by a history of diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to COPD and other conditions, but his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The preponderance of medical evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, nephritis (including history of nephritis and kidney stones), and a chronic respiratory disorder (to include asthma). The evidence does not support current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and impotency are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The examiner is requested to provide a nexus opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected psychiatric disorder and coronary artery disease, as well as any medications he takes, and his current diagnoses of hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.