Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and right elbow disability are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder is unrelated to service. Hypertension was also found to be unrelated to service or a disease of service origin.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's stomach disorder (GERD) is found to be service-connected, as it is claimed as secondary to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation exposure during military service. The other issues are not addressed due to lack of evidence or the complexity of the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to October 2007, and later increased to 50 and 70 percent. A TDIU was granted effective from April 2009. Service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed for possible secondary or aggravation by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is REMANDED to allow the VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether the hypertension is related to the coronary artery disease, which has been granted as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension that he believes was caused by his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 24, 2009 for service connection of various disabilities associated with diabetes mellitus were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions existed continuously from May 8, 2001.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension was rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that none were incurred or aggravated by his military service and that any current disabilities are not related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his claims file and need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disease, including COPD and emphysema, was not incurred in or related to military service. The residuals of a broken third metatarsal of the right foot are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy, and renal cell carcinoma were denied as these conditions are not shown to be directly related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disability are presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange, but hypertension and erectile dysfunction were not found to be service-connected.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing nexus opinions on service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for an ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.