Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated during his active duty service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of chemical exposure, as there is no indication of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension with associated headaches and residuals of right biceps tendon rupture were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Guam, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was granted service connection as it began during active service. The other issues on appeal are related to higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, nephropathy with edema and hypertension, and gout.

The Veteran's countable income is less than the maximum pension rate, and he has not worked since February 2005 due to various disabilities. The Board finds that his eligibility for non-service connected disability benefits is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is not presumed to be related to his service or Agent Orange exposure, and thus he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, PTSD and a skin disorder has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for burning feet has been withdrawn. The hypertension and skin cancer claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues related to reopening previously denied claims for hypertension, chronic skin disability (dermatitis, chloracne, squamous cell carcinoma), diabetes mellitus type II, cardiac disability, breathing problems, and a chronic nerve disability of the hands, face, and legs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for asthma and hypertension, as well as TDIU, are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is as likely as not partly attributable to his active duty service, and hypertension was found to be at least as likely as not caused by a work-related injury in 1993. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board granted service connection for essential hypertension and assigned a noncompensable disability rating, effective February 1, 2007. The Veteran disagrees with the assigned rating and has requested a statement of the case.

The Board found that the cause of death, anoxic brain injury due to hypotension and bradycardia, was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by any service-connected disability. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbosacral spine disability, tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were deemed insufficient to contribute to his death.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board found that the evidence added to the record since the final rating decisions does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus as a result of exposure to herbicides, rosacea and actinic keratosis (claimed as a skin disorder) as a result of exposure to herbicides, hypertension, or anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including the need to obtain service personnel and treatment records from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and VA medical center records. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his hypertension, hemorrhoids, coronary artery disease, and right lower extremity arteriosclerosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and is therefore service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and hypertension have been granted service connection, with a 10% rating for hypertension effective January 9, 2008.