Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension is not related to his period of active military service, including any incident or event therein. It was not shown within one year of discharge and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service. The Board finds that hypertension does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and low back disability are not service-connected, as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as her disabilities do not render her so helpless.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to evaluate complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and right eye diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's hypertension and ear infections or allergic rhinitis were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction and service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension or atrial fibrillation during service or within one year of separation. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran has a history of heart conditions during service, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertension. The Board finds that the current disability element is met as he likely still has these conditions, leading to a grant of service connection for hypertensive heart disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to outstanding private medical records, and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date earlier than August 22, 2006, for the grant of service connection for hypertension and the initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hypertension has been dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during active service, was not present within one year of separation from a period of active service exceeding 90 days, and is not etiologically related to any period of the Veteran's service. Therefore, service connection for hypertension could not be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension have resulted in a TDIU rating effective June 11, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and granted it. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic cholesterol (claimed as 'chronic cholesterol') is denied. The remaining claims are addressed in the remand.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension were not incurred during active military service. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension and a low back disorder due to further evidentiary development.