Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a previously scheduled Board hearing. He has requested another hearing and good cause has been established.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and service connection for PTSD, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, and hepatitis C.

The most probative evidence of record does not demonstrate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased initial rating for diabetes mellitus. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a causal link between the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and any in-service disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant records and provide necessary examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, PTSD/Depression, and a respiratory disability are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for hepatitis A, tinea versicolor, right foot arthritis, left ankle injury residuals, and PTSD were withdrawn. The Veteran was granted service connection for hypertension and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. His initial ratings for PTSD and right shoulder dislocation residuals with degenerative changes have been increased to 70% and 30%, respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his disability as it does not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran seeks additional vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code, for the pursuit of a Bachelor's degree. The Board has remanded this case due to issues regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for malaria, congestive heart failure, and hypertension for accrued benefits purposes. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition of malaria during his military service or within one year after separation from service. His symptoms were attributed to other conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service, including his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during his initial period of service from June 1972 to August 1981. The Board finds that the condition did not manifest within one year post-service separation and there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension, and left shoulder disorder did not have onset during active service or within one year following service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiovascular disease, hypertension, right shoulder arthritis and back disorder are not related to his military service. The heart murmur in 1942 was considered a benign finding without evidence of subsequent treatment or diagnosis.

The Board found that hypertension, arthritis of the elbows, and arthritis of the knees were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's symptoms did not manifest until many years after her separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for depression as secondary to coronary artery disease, hypertension, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Other conditions such as hypothyroidism, histoplasmosis, manifestations of valley fever, and hypercholesterolemia have been reopened but the decision on their merits is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy is found to have aggravated his hypertension, warranting the grant of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and granted it, finding that his service-connected COPD and cardiomegaly either caused or aggravated his hypertension.