Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service and is not related to his diabetes mellitus, thus denying service connection for hypertension.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for hypertension. The medical evidence does not show a diagnosis or treatment for hypertension during active duty service, and there is no evidence showing high blood pressure prior to service or during either period of service.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is insufficient to decide whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and thus remands the case for further development.

The evidence does not show that hypertension was caused or aggravated by service-connected tobacco use with nicotine dependence and consequent COPD, or rheumatic fever.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting labile hypertension did not increase in severity during service and granted service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the claims of service connection for hypertension, arthritis of multiple joints, and a gastrointestinal disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7101. The Board finds that his blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and has not otherwise been shown to be related to service. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus alone is not sufficiently incapacitating as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current heart disorder, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, is not related to his active service. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during service or continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disability within the first post-service year and no link to service.,Bilateral hearing loss was not found, with both ears meeting normal hearing criteria. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for undescended left testicle is not granted as it is considered a congenital defect without evidence of a superimposed disability.

The Veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease has been rated at 60 percent since May 27, 2011. The rating for hypertension remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the cancellation of his formal appeal and hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not first manifest during service or within one year of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in VA's duty to assist, specifically regarding the need for clarification on whether hypertension pre-existed service and was aggravated by service. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry into service, but this presumption can be rebutted with clear and unmistakable evidence of a condition existing prior to service that was not aggravated during service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's in-service blood pressure readings were consistent with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension. The opinion from Dr. G.K. supports this conclusion.,Service connection was also established for a kidney disorder as secondary to the service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's stomach disability and hypertension are both found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, meeting the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and clarifying his representation in the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a chronic back disorder, tinnitus, PTSD, hypertension, and sleep disorders. The decision also addressed issues related to entitlement to a total evaluation for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities as secondary to treatment required for hepatitis C. Service connection for hypertension is addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is found to be aggravated by his service-connected seizure disorder. His hypertension is also found to be aggravated by his acquired psychiatric disorder.