Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. It was also not exhibited within the first post-service year, and it was not caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not related to any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for residuals of shell fragment wound to the right thigh was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for hypertension, high cholesterol, prostate disability, and right lung disability were all denied due to lack of evidence supporting a causal link between these conditions and service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a heart disability, to include CAD, was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's contentions regarding his diagnosis and treatment for CAD are not supported by the medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and GERD. The evidence shows that both conditions are related to his active military service, with hypertension being secondary to his service-connected optical neuritis and GERD likely due to weight gain or steroid use after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of the issues on appeal. The primary focus is on determining whether his service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus caused or chronically worsened his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was denied as there is no evidence that the condition had its onset during active service or resulted from disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for anxiety, but did not find a relationship between any of her claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing Type II Diabetes Mellitus was not aggravated by his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) beyond its natural progression. The hypertension claim is pending as it relates to a period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient by themselves to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection. The claim for sleep disturbance is pending as the evidence does not establish a relationship to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were all found to be related to his military service. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not start during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the condition was incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of private treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, residuals of removal of gallstones and gallbladder, a disability manifested by dizziness, diabetes mellitus, nerve damage in the head, hypertension, asthma, heart disability, impotence, and an eye disability. The Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension or cardiovascular disease during service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions, finding that they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is deciding the issues of initial compensable evaluations for tinea pedis, and the propriety of severing service connection for neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus. The remaining claims are remanded.