Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes, hypertension, an eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or hepatitis C that is attributable to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and cardiomyopathy, did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from October 3, 2007 to September 30, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, end stage renal disease (also claimed as kidney transplant), and pancreas transplant are all granted. The appeal regarding the issue of nonservice-connected pension benefits is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinion is necessary before adjudicating the claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted a 100% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his diabetes mellitus. The claim for hypertension is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, calluses of feet, hypertension, and a scar of the left eyebrow are denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right foot/ankle disability, and hypertension. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and high blood pressure prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, or a respiratory disability that was caused by his service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected rheumatic fever, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine and denied service connection for residuals of appendicitis with ruptured colon. The Veteran's current neck disability is found to be related to his military service, while there is no evidence linking the residuals of appendicitis to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the feet and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development. The claim for infection and removal of a cyst from the lower back is not addressed as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension results in diastolic pressure consistently below 110 and systolic pressure consistently below 200, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent due to service-connected left and right knee replacements, hypertension, and residuals of a hernia repair. The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his active service and have granted service connection for them.

The Board has determined that the issues of new and material evidence have not been met in several cases, and thus those claims are not reopened. The Veteran's pes planus is adequately compensated by the current rating schedule. His right knee and foot condition is unrelated to his service-connected pes planus or any other aspect of his service. His heart disorder, eye disorders, and skin conditions are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, as the cause of death (cardio-pulmonary arrest and diabetes) were not present in service or within one year after discharge. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, including his lumbar spine disability and related medications.