Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. He also needs to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the severity of his diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any aspect of service. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a stomach disability, hypertension, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no medical evidence or opinion suggesting a nexus between these conditions and active duty service or service-connected disabilities.,There is no clear indication of a chronic stomach disability in the record. The VA examiner found no etiology with respect to the Veteran's complaints of abdominal pain.,The claim for service connection has been denied on the basis that there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current stomach disability to active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disabilities, including a benign flow murmur during pregnancy, are not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for bone disease and diabetes mellitus type II at his October 2011 hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, prostate disorder, arthritis of major joints other than the knees, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or an in-service event that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, major depression, PTSD, hypertension with CAD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability in service and the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that were caused or aggravated by her service, or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.,Service connection has been granted for a bowel disorder (chronic constipation), but it does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and tinnitus. The increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, hypertension, and autonomic neuropathy of the gastrointestinal tract with complications of small bowel obstruction are also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, was not incurred or aggravated during active duty and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the petition to reopen his diabetes mellitus and leukemia claims was also denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in service or any other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU remains on appeal due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA mental disorders examination, obtain any additional evidence, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus is being remanded. Additionally, the claims for service connection of hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and sleep apnea are also being remanded.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The skin disability claim is also being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for polysubstance abuse has been dismissed. The remaining claims of hypertension, cerebral stroke and residuals, and right leg disability are remanded to the RO/AMC.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is more likely related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, rather than being a separate condition incurred in service. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.