Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and atrial fibrillation were not related to service or a service-connected disability, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and arthritis of the back, neck, and knees were not granted service connection or increased rating. The issues regarding residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right hand and arm and a chronic respiratory disorder due to herbicide exposure are unknown.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, with sedentary forms of employment being possible.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling since January 6, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension more nearly approximates the criteria for a 10 percent rating but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a Travel Board hearing, and the appeal is not yet fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and it may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hypertension and his diabetes.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability within one year of discharge and that the hypertension is not proximately due or the result of his service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as hypertension, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to his military service. As a result, these claims were denied.

The Veteran's diagnosed hypertension was not shown to be related to service or any incident therein, and the Board finds that it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not file a timely substantive appeal within the required time frame. The issues of service connection for left knee disorder, hypertension, and PTSD were decided on their merits based on the evidence of record at that time. Initial ratings for low back disability and cervical spine disability were also addressed but are not relevant to this decision.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for a compensable disability rating for hypertension, finding that his blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and headaches are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the February 2012 VA examination, which did not consider all relevant evidence and failed to address the central question regarding whether the Veteran's current hypertension is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, hypertension, and a skin condition. The decision also addressed issues related to PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and lower back disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the issuance of an SOC regarding his hypertension claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the Board grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes.