Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension and headache disability are found to be related to her military service, with the headaches being characterized as very frequent and completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including cardiomyopathy, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, were not found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition.,There is no evidence linking hypertension and diabetes mellitus to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity, requiring care at home for safety reasons. The Board grants SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's heart disability and hypertension have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation since October 6, 1998.,Prior to November 7, 2002, the Veteran was deemed employable given his full-time employment status.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes). Service connection for hypertension has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition and hypertension were not related to his active duty service or a pre-existing lung condition, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,While the Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia/sleep disorder, it is not considered a compensable disability for which service connection can be granted. The Veteran's sleep issues are associated with his PTSD and not due to any service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension due to service, as there is no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection for Type II diabetes (DM) will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and pulmonary hypertension as secondary to chronic atrial fibrillation, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's combined disability rating from his service-connected conditions is 60%, which does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU. The Board found that his unemployability was due to non-service-connected disorders, including back, neck, hand, and depression disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was not diagnosed during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence that it is related to his military service. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinion more probative than other medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension, as it requires further development before being decided on appeal. The primary basis of his claim is that his hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, Parkinson's disease, CAD, glaucoma, kidney disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and sinusitis is granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

PTSD with alcohol abuse and sleeping problems was initially rated as 50 percent disabling from March 30, 2007 to February 9, 2010. From February 10, 2010 forward, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of at least 70 percent.,Chronic myofascial strain of left trapezius muscle has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the period on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran was not exposed to mustard gas during service, and thus cannot establish service connection for any of his claimed disabilities based on such exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection either.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's hypertension is found to be proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension, hiatal hernia, low back disorder, arthritis of the shoulders and knees, and left shoulder disability are not found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.