Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, or PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's Crohn's disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor are they presumptively related to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension may be service-connected as it was aggravated during his second period of active duty service, but an addendum opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service personnel records and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including bilateral hearing loss, right and left foot disabilities, ulcers, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disability, PTSD, or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence is insufficient to establish a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, hypertension, and tinnitus due to lack of current disabilities. The claim for residuals of exposure to hydrazine was also denied as there were no current residual effects.

The Board finds that service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is warranted, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The Veteran's son's helpless child status claim also requires further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his hypertension (HTN) is not secondary to PTSD. The low back disorder claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating in hypertension before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected peripheral vascular disease and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for service connection for hypertension prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied service connection for seizure disorder, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder and gastrointestinal disorder. The claims were remanded multiple times but the Veteran did not provide additional evidence or participate in a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected epididymitis was granted, and he is now receiving a 20% evaluation. His claims for hypertension and heart disorder (including coronary artery disease) are still pending as they have not been addressed yet.

The Board has restored service connection for the Veteran's hypertension, secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a heart murmur. The Veteran's current diagnoses of coronary artery disease and hypertension are related to her previously diagnosed heart murmur, which is considered a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied, and his initial compensable rating for hypertension was granted. His hypertension is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The hypertension and endocarditis issues are remanded for further development.