Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from January 23, 2007 to September 30, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury with equilibrium problems related to active military service. The claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer (status post prostatectomy), and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, ulcer disorder, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.,The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, left knee, back disorder, and chest keloid scar have been granted. The Board finds further development is necessary to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any hypertension, hearing loss, or sinus disorder.

The Veteran's condition meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including leg pain, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, right hip strain with chronic pain and limitation of motion (LOM), status post operative repair, tear medial meniscus and osteochondritis dissecans right knee with chronic pain, degenerative arthritis with LOM in flexion and extension with incomplete extension, status post operative total knee replacement left knee with chronic pain, diffuse degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with partial lumbarization of S1 with chronic pain, and varying LOM. The Veteran is legally blind and requires assistance for daily activities such as cooking.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for kidney cancer and hypertension. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, concluding that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to service connection for kidney stones, also claimed as kidney pain; a chronic prostate disorder; skin rashes; brittle nails; a chronic bladder disorder; a chronic neurological disorder of the arms and legs; a headache disorder; sinusitis and allergies; gastroesophageal reflux disease; and stomach cancer, also claimed as cancerous polyps in the colon and a cancerous tumor in the duodenum.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to insufficient medical nexus opinions and incomplete records. The claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Veteran's cardiorespiratory failure, due to hypertension, seizure, anticoagulation, and heart disease, was not shown to have manifested during service or for many years thereafter, and were not otherwise shown to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, major depression, and hypertension. The evidence now shows that these conditions are related to his military service, with IDS originating from a back injury during active duty training and major depression being secondary to the spine trauma. Hypertension is also found to be aggravated by the service-connected IDS.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The Board found no medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as knee meniscus tear (medial and lateral), degenerative joint disease, and chondromalacia patella, is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran incurred or aggravated his left knee disability during active service or reserve duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service connected as secondary to his diabetes mellitus, with the VA examiner stating that it was not due to the duration of his diabetes or because of alcohol use.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating, service connection, and reopening of previously denied claims have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not shown to be related to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied these claims as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.