Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not originate during his active military service or for many years after and is unrelated to his service, including secondarily since not caused and not being permanently exacerbated by his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been caused during active service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and high cholesterol as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain due to lack of evidence showing a causal relationship.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and coccyx disability, finding that the current schedular criteria adequately reflected his symptoms.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's withdrawal of all remaining claims, including service connection for residuals of a spinal injury, cataracts, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's hearing loss disability was not rated higher than non-compensable prior to September 25, 2012, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. His coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had not yet decided the claims of service connection for congestive heart failure and hypertension, which are now moot.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left leg and foot are not shown to be related to service or due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims must be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor are they presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board finds that the cause of the Veteran's death (myocardial infarction) was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The appellant did not provide evidence showing a direct link between any service-connected condition and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran requested a hearing for his appeal, and the case is dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for hypertension. The generalized anxiety disorder issue remains in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Appellant's hypertension did not manifest within one year of service separation and thus is not service-connected. The claim was denied as there was no evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and any period of active or inactive duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a right ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder from July 22, 2004 to December 11, 2008 was rated at 50 percent. From December 12, 2008, the rating for PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder remains at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, with an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted an effective date of March 9, 2009.,An earlier effective date for the increased rating of DM to April 13, 2009 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and gastritis, finding that there was no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side for allergic rhinitis. The rating assigned for gastritis did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability (PTSD and DDD with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications).