Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's death was caused by end stage renal disease, which is considered service-connected.,The Veteran also had other conditions such as COPD and peripheral vascular disease that contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that were caused or aggravated by his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year of service separation and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to support a finding that it was aggravated by service. The left finger disability is manifested by pain and limitation of motion, but does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and his erectile dysfunction is proximately due to medication prescribed for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for hypertension and skin disorder, as well as his TDIU claim. The effective date of the TDIU grant was set at November 5, 2004.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been rated at the minimum levels allowed by regulation, with no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and are not otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, and is not related to a service-connected disability. The evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain records from St. Luke's Hospital and to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed GERD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since January 4, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date is dismissed as the Veteran was satisfied with the current rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his service connection claims, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory disability and hypertension.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis and his claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, need further development due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension with palpitations did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The claim for a sleep disorder was also denied due to lack of current medical evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected as secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type II.,The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected and is not service-connected as secondary to PTSD or diabetes mellitus, type II.,The Veteran's liver disease is not service-connected.