Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a broken right ankle or any signs and symptoms thereof. The Appellant's statements regarding his injury in service are not credible, as he did not receive treatment for the right ankle during service and there are no post-service medical records indicating a current disability. Therefore, service connection for a broken right ankle cannot be established.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC. Specifically, VA examinations are needed to determine if his hypertension is related to diabetes mellitus or toxic herbicide exposure, and whether he needs aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension may be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Additionally, the need for aid and attendance of his spouse needs to be reassessed as part of this remand process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU since March 28, 2006 and his unemployability is due to the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in active military service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service. The Court ordered the case be remanded due to an omission regarding a May 2007 letter submitted by the Veteran's private treating medical provider.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cardiovascular disability. The claim will be further evaluated based on new evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and lumbosacral spine disorder were not incurred or aggravated during active duty service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's hospitalization for peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity was not due to a service-connected disability, and thus he is not entitled to a temporary total rating based on such hospitalization.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for oligodendroglia (brain cancer), urinary tract disorder, and hypertension were denied. The status of these claims is unknown due to the absence of a clear decision on their merits.

The Board has determined that hypertension is caused by the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no credible evidence of a head injury or neck injury during his active duty. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in service.,There is also no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or seizure disorder.

The Veteran's representative withdrew his claim for service connection for an enlarged aorta with leaking valve. The issue is therefore considered withdrawn.,New evidence received since the last final denial has raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim to reopen for skin cancer, which was previously denied in 1985.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD, hypertension, and sleep apnea are not related to his military service. The claims were denied.

The Board has reconsidered the Veteran's claims and finds that there is no evidence of a left knee disorder, gynecological disorder, anemia, sinusitis, or hypertension in service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, or gout is caused by service-connected coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure and post-operative residuals of a coronary artery bypass grafting.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the nature and etiology of his heart disorder, including hypertension, as well as whether it is related to service-connected depressive disorder or any other service-connected disability. The RO must also verify the Veteran's period of active duty after December 2003.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened. His PTSD is currently rated at 70% and effective from December 30, 2005.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, status post myocardial infarction and bypass surgery, as secondary to degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, was denied.,Service connection for hypertension, as secondary to degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, is granted.,Service connection for renal dysfunction, as secondary to degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, is granted.