Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were denied as there is no current disability. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or Agent Orange exposure. The diabetes mellitus claim was denied because it did not manifest within a year after service. PTSD was not diagnosed during service and thus cannot be granted based on service connection.,The Veteran's competency to handle disbursement of VA benefits funds was found to be lacking.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right great toenail removal, or tinnitus for VA purposes. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his service, and the Board finds that he did not serve in qualifying for VA benefits periods of active duty or National Guard service when a motor vehicle accident occurred resulting in back disability. The Veteran's left elbow bursitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during service and the Board finds that it was incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was found to have originated during service, and hypertension is considered secondary to the service-connected sleep apnea. The Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and found that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Veteran's current hypertension is considered to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II or arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted service connection effective March 29, 2007. His initial total disability evaluation based on heart surgery is extended to May 27, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated any of the Veteran's causes of death, including congestive heart failure, COPD, renal insufficiency, and hypertension.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension during or within one year after service, and the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability is not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for CFS, right shoulder disability, residuals of mouth and throat cancer, or bilateral hip disabilities. The fatigue symptoms are attributed to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and cerebrovascular accident were not shown during service or within one year of discharge. There is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension, finding no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking any current diagnoses to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current hepatitis B or A, hypertension, or diverticulosis. The Veteran's STRs do not indicate any such conditions during service.,There is also no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since August 26, 1996.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, hypertension, and lower lip numbness are not related to service or any incident therein. The current conditions were not present during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and his claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.