Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated in service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion regarding the lack of a nexus between diabetes mellitus and hypertension to be more probative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 100% rating effective January 23, 2007. Service connection was also established for hypertension and diabetes mellitus on the same date.

The Board denied service connection for both the Veteran's back injury and cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and residuals of rheumatic heart disease. The decision is under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and is granted. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or chronicity of hepatitis A for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied as there is no competent evidence of current disability.,Service connection for arthritis of the joints (claimed as gout) is denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service or any other etiology.,Service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD, is denied because there is no medical evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his current hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has a heart disability and whether it is related to his in-service syphilis infection. The issues of PTSD and gallbladder condition are referred to the RO.

The Veteran's essential hypertension has been consistently controlled with medication and his blood pressure readings have not met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 29, 2005.

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that his character of discharge for the period from November 1968 to June 1970 is considered a bar to VA disability benefits due to persistent misconduct and willful and persistent misconduct.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for fibromyalgia and hypertension to allow for further examination and consideration. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and hypertension are being considered as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension during the Veteran's service, and concluded that it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after service separation. The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed approximately 20 years after his last period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of lumbar spine disability and service connection for left ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for hypertension was also denied as it is not related to the service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, are directly related to his military service. Additionally, the squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is found to be aggravated by his service-connected heart condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for both bipolar disorder and hypertension, finding that the conditions did not have their clinical onset during a period of active service or are otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to cardiopulmonary arrest, pulmonary edema, and hypertension post cerebrovascular accident. His service records do not show any evidence of these conditions during his active duty service or within one year following separation. Therefore, the Board finds that none of the death-causing disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip disorder, right foot disorder, ear infection, vertigo, and hypertension. The rash was not found to be related to service.