Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's initial ratings for adjustment disorder, sinusitis, and hypertension have been denied as her conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hypertension, arthritis of the upper extremities, and a knee disability as there is no evidence of these conditions during active military service or otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and failure to address a pending petition to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension, which may be relevant to accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an increase to a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's additional anxiety, depression, headache, and tinnitus disabilities are not service-connected under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA fault.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The heart disability was not related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD and a compensable rating of 10% for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's bilateral hip disorder is also found to be secondary to his tinea pedis, status-post immersion foot.

The Board found that the appellant's cellulitis, right ear hearing loss, and hypertension were not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and has been made worse by it, thus granting service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's left eye corneal scar was granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, bilateral leg disability and tinnitus have been withdrawn from appeal. The Veteran's eczema claim has been granted with an initial rating greater than 30% since September 22, 2009. The issue of a bilateral eye disability other than the left corneal scar remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is well controlled by medication and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The current 10% rating remains appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension had its initial onset during his period of active service, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension on a direct basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected and denied his claim. For PTSD, the Board also denied an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service from 1961 to 1964, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The claim for service connection for hypertension is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and failure to address other potential bases for granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically due to his diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy, warranting service connection. The arthritis of the feet and ankles did not have its onset in service or within one year of discharge and is not shown to be etiologically related to service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year after separation, and there was no evidence linking it to his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hypertension is more likely a common condition rather than caused by or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder (pes planus), and bilateral knee disorders have been denied. His hypertension has been granted a compensable rating of 40%. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is not found in the decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and low back disorder are found to be related to service. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral shin splints or hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure and lower extremity peripheral artery disorder are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.