Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and service-connected PTSD, as well as clarifying whether he receives SSA disability benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been dismissed as this matter is moot due to the RO's award of service connection in an August 2012 rating decision. The remaining claims on appeal are addressed in the remand following the order.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, or hypertension that is related to his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension and found that new and material evidence supports this claim.

The Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease and hypertension were denied as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for COPD due to insufficient evidence, and the case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The residuals of a chest injury are also not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cerebral infarction on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Veteran's service records show he served in Vietnam during the relevant time period.

The Board denied service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, and myocardial infarction as the Veteran's conditions are not considered disabilities for which VA compensation benefits can be considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD is likely to have caused his hypertension, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension with associated diastolic dysfunction has been rated at 10 percent since April 10, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal meningitis, hypertension, arthritis (gout), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a neck disability. The appeals were based on secondary service connection to spinal meningitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected disabilities (PTSD, coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and bypass grafting, and peripheral vascular disease), is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during his active military service and has continued since that time. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on all other claims, granting service connection for each condition.

The Veteran's hypertension was initially assigned a noncompensable rating, but a 10 percent rating is granted prior to February 25, 2011. A rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension since February 25, 2011 is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development, including an examination and notification to the Veteran about alternative sources of evidence for in-service stressors, is necessary before a final decision can be made on the issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis, an acquired psychiatric disability, corns of the right foot, hypertension, hepatitis A and B, and a prostate disorder. The evidence did not establish any current disabilities or link them to service.

The Veteran's minimal small vessel periventricular ischemic white matter disease, chronic headache disorder, hypertension, tinnitus of the right ear, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, fungus of the feet, facial cyst, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right arm disorder were not incurred in service or related to service.,The Veteran's periods of active service did not include a qualifying period for VA benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension became manifest to a degree of 10 percent within one year after separation from service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition based on presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for depressive disorder was granted, but with a current disability rating of 50% prior to August 20, 2009.