Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected, hypertension is not service-connected and his restless leg syndrome was not related to service. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, DDD of the lumbar spine, cervical spine disorder, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury residuals have been appropriately rated.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.,For his right shoulder disorder, the Board determined there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.,Effective dates prior to May 8, 2001 were granted for the grants of service connection for various conditions.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension, as there was no diagnosis of hypertension during active duty or within one year post-service. The Veteran's in-service blood pressure readings were not considered sufficient to establish a current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that the new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of his separation from service and there is no evidence of hypertension within one year of service separation. The Board also found that hypertension was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were not service-connected as claimed. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure or asbestos exposure during service that would support a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD, effective January 20, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected prostate disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including athletes feet, hypertension, head injury, migraine headaches, chronic eye condition, back condition, arthritis (claimed as arthritis of the back, shoulders, hips, and legs), and chronic pain in both hips. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD or another psychiatric disorder is related to service, and scheduling examinations to determine if the Veteran's liver disability, gastric disability, and hypertension are related to presumed herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and service connection for hemorrhoids were denied. The RO also denied reopening the Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists, finding no new and material evidence. No effective date was assigned.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent for the period from July 31, 2009, to April 10, 2012, and in excess of 0 percent since April 11, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for skin moles, a right knee disability, a left knee disability, hypertension, and a disability resulting from asbestos exposure has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular, pancreas, and gallbladder disorders are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to herbicide exposure or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for essential hypertension, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his active duty or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of a stressor event in service and the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for mesothelioma was denied as there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional VA records. The Veteran's hypertension is being considered under direct service connection theory.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bladder disorder, diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities, and heart disorder were denied. Service connection was granted for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.