Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, restrictive lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension. The Veteran's heart conditions are found to be related to her in-service pneumonia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 16, 2001, for the grants of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also found that there was no nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication for control since January 24, 2006, warrants an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty service. The disabilities are considered to be related to a pre-existing condition, which was first diagnosed after he entered on Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, headaches, hypertension, and joint pain of the lumbar spine and left shoulder were denied as they are not shown to be related to service or any incident thereof.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, and is not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer, but the Board finds that his service-connected coronary artery disease substantially contributed to his death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of each lower and upper extremity, diabetic gastroparesis, and angina are rated as 70 percent disabling combined. The RO has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a skin disorder, and hypertension have been granted. The Veteran's anxiety disorder was found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hypertension, finding no competent medical evidence to support these claims. The Veteran was not diagnosed with either condition during or after his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was first manifested during his service and is chronic, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left arm disorder, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to conflicting opinions and additional development is needed. The Veteran's PTSD may be aggravating his hypertension, but further medical opinion is required.

The Board has determined that an effective date of June 27, 2004 for the award of service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board granted service connection for right index finger fracture residuals and assigned a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine, headaches, and hypertension were all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The heart disorder and hypertension are not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions, while erectile dysfunction is not shown to be caused by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records, schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current conditions, and provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and a thyroid disability have been denied as these conditions are not presumed to be related to his military service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (to include posttraumatic stress disorder) due to its presumptive relationship with his military service.