Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also determined that there was no evidence showing a compensable degree of hypertension within one year of separation from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of heart disease, and his hypertension was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of hypertension, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, a spine disability, and hypertension. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims of service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension rating is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under DC 7101. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right inguinal hernia, hypertension, and respiratory disability (claimed as pulmonary tuberculosis or positive Mantoux /purified protein derivative (PPD) test), finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, left knee disability, or hypertension due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating effective December 16, 2012. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective October 27, 2008. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,There is no evidence of kidney disease or hypertension during service or within one year post-service. Neither condition is linked to service-connected conditions and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection with depleted uranium exposure.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with COPD, now including pulmonary hypertension, is rated at the maximum (100%) under DC 6600.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding no evidence to support these claims. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but not granted as there is no clear evidence that any current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for retinopathy, asthma, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and private medical records for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's chest pain, high blood pressure, rectal pain with black stools and taste of blood, weight loss, hernia (including weak stomach), liver damage, fatigue, weakness, sleepiness, and blood loss were not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right great toe.,However, in resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran, it was determined that his blood loss (anemia) was aggravated by his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right great toe.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board finds the Veteran's current headache condition is likely secondary to his service-connected hypertension and grants service connection for headaches as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension has not manifested with diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more during the initial rating period. Therefore, she is not entitled to a compensable rating for her service-connected hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for hypertension as a complication of diabetes mellitus and cervical spine disability on a primary and/or secondary basis are addressed, with evidence indicating equipoise in some areas.