Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable and excess of 10 percent ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence showing a diagnosis or treatment of hypertension during his active duty service, and the current diagnosis cannot be linked to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) are not related to his military service, and the Board finds that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to his active duty service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected obesity, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to obesity.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and granted service connection on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2; hypertension; and right upper extremity neuropathy were denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions (arthritis, hypertension, gout, carotid stenosis, and DM) are not related to his service-connected pyelonephritis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, is rated at 20 percent since May 16, 2007. The Board denied the issues of service connection for hypertension and separate compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound residuals of the right and left thighs have resulted in moderate muscle damage/impairment, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension were granted, with the CAD rating being reduced by the aggravation baseline. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disorder, hypertension, and aneurysm are not service-connected. The Board also noted that major depressive disorder is partially aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current disability is likely to have been incurred in service. Service connection was also granted for a heart disability, but not for a dental disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), high blood pressure (due to diabetes mellitus), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have tinnitus attributable to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including verification of stressors and opinions on the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be related to his active duty service or due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's death was attributed to cardiopulmonary arrest due to old age. The service-connected disabilities (right eye defective vision and residuals of shrapnel wounds) did not cause or contribute to his death. Hypertension and heart conditions were first diagnosed decades after service discharge and are not attributable to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during his period of service and was not caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction, and PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.