Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal involves increased ratings for multiple service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease of both legs. The Board has ordered additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral edema of the right and left lower extremities is found to be related to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).,There is no evidence that the low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative joint and disc disease, was incurred in or aggravated by service. The examiner opined it may not be presumed to have been incurred therein due to lack of diagnosis within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for consideration of additional evidence and clarification of his intentions regarding the claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's hypertension required continuous medication for control but was predominantly manifested by diastolic pressure readings under 100 and systolic pressure readings under 160. Therefore, an initial compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to exposure to chemical dioxins. The remaining issues of increased evaluations and service connection are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, chronic renal failure, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion and potential herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as it does not meet the criteria for service connection under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1110 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted service connection and rated at 20 percent effective November 25, 2008. The other issues have not been resolved.

The Veteran's claims for an increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and service connection for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened. However, his claim for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil with metastases to the right neck remains denied as it is not presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's hypertension existed prior to service, and concluded that there is not a link between his current hypertension and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and thus not warranting presumptive service connection. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking current hypertension to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset during active service and is considered a result of disease or injury incurred in service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings were consistently below the threshold required for such a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is not related to his period of active duty service or his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.