Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year of her separation from service and is not otherwise related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has vacated the October 2010 decision denying a compensable initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss due to an error in the claims file. The claim of service connection for hypertension remains denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension and a skin disorder. The prior denials were based on lack of nexus between current conditions and service, with no new or additional evidence provided since the last final decisions.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and coronary artery disease with hypertension and angina are not related to his military service, including exposure to toxic gas or bronchitis during service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange, and the veteran's current disabilities were not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The Board denied service connection as there was no direct link between his claimed conditions and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and neck disability are not related to service, either directly or through a secondary basis. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Board finds that service connection for hypertension is warranted as there is evidence of an elevated blood pressure reading during military service and competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current hypertension to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is dismissed as the Veteran has opted to discharge these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension was incurred during his active military service, including his period of Naval Reserves service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before the Board at the VA Regional Office in Los Angeles, California.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by her service-connected anxiety disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of an increased initial evaluation for her anxiety disorder has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's hypertension, sinusitis, and PID with irregular bleeding are all found to be attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional opinions regarding the relationship between hypertension and service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with proper VCAA notification. The case will be remanded for these actions.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and complete the necessary forms. The claims of service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back condition and other joint pain, do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for right knee disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease, a back disorder and a neck disorder are all granted.