Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. However, the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate and liver disabilities have been denied as there is no competent evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess her hypertension, cervical dysplasia, donor site scar, and urinary tract infections.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as it pre-existed his diabetes and was not aggravated by the latter. The VA has remanded for further development regarding the impact of a cervical spine accident on his diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the relationship between his hypertension and service-connected conditions, as well as inservice exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that hypertension was incurred in service and grants the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether hypertension contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus service connection for the cause of death will be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder other than rheumatic heart disease, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's need for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance prior to May 20, 2008 is also granted.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claim is needed to determine if his pre-existing hypertension and bilateral iliac artery blockage were aggravated by military service, which could affect his entitlement to service connection for residuals of cerebral vascular accident.

The Board granted service connection for epididymitis, incontinence secondary to epididymitis, prostate disorder secondary to epididymitis, kidney disorder secondary to epididymitis, and denied service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disease or disability that onset in service, was causally related to service, or was secondary to a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of increased evaluation for postoperative hemangioblastoma tumor of the brain, service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for low back disability.

The Board has granted increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, gout of the right great toe, and several forms of joint dysfunction. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to any in-service noise exposure.,Coronary artery disease was first manifested more than one year after service and is not related to service. Hypertension was also first manifested more than one year after service and is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are not related to service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include diabetic nephropathy, coronary artery disease, and various neuropathies, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service or inactive duty training, and thus he is denied service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service connected diabetes mellitus. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that hypertension preceded the diabetes, did not cause the diabetes, and did not aggravate the diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, PTSD, hypertension, tension headaches, and reactive airway disease. The appeals were based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical records.