Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of pneumonia with shortness of breath and headaches (now characterized as residuals of a head injury). The claim for hypertension was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection is not granted for any condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and a skin disorder of the bilateral legs to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and service, as well as any possible secondary or aggravating effects from other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are granted service connection on a direct basis.,Both issues were remanded due to the failure of the RO to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder and right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings were predominantly below the required thresholds.

The Veteran's hypertension, nephrolithiasis, and status-post gall bladder removal were not granted higher ratings. The Veteran was awarded a 30 percent rating for migraine disorder from August 18, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is directly related to the elevated blood pressure readings in service, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to constrictive pericarditis, which was found to be related to his untreated tuberculosis during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and unspecified joint disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address whether hypertension is related to active duty service or PCOS.

The Board has decided the claim for a higher rating for hearing loss. The remaining claims for service connection for hypertension and for higher ratings for PTSD require additional development before being decided on appeal, so these claims are remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and SSA disability benefits records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed night sweats.

The Board found that hypertension, left testicle nodule, skin disorder of the pubis region, bilateral foot pain, and gastrointestinal disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The appellant's reports of having had hypertension in service are deemed unreliable due to his denial on retirement examination and lack of post-service medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory disability, hypertension, and gout. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as it did not have its onset during active service or is otherwise unrelated to active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities and renal disorder. The remaining claims have already been fully granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the remaining issues on appeal due to lack of evidence and procedural errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability involving hearing loss or other conditions in service or for years following service discharge. The hiatal hernia preexisted service and was aggravated by an inservice injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that hypertension did not cause or substantially and materially contribute to cause the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service stressor that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.