Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service connection claims and a need for additional evidence regarding radiation exposure during service.

The Board has remanded this case for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the appellant's request.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and that the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral vascular diseases are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, residuals of squamous cell carcinoma, left vocal cord, and erectile dysfunction are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative joint disease began in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that elevated blood pressure readings in active service are related to current hypertension. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected left knee disability is addressed separately.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more. Therefore, a higher evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.,Residuals of the right humerus fracture are manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve. Thus, an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted service connection, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's in-service elevated blood pressure readings and his current diagnosis of hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of hypertension, arthritis of the hands, bilateral hearing loss, paroxysmal tachycardia, and carotid artery surgery have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is causally related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension. The issue of an increased rating for right knee arthritis remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims from appellate review.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a video conference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he did not have service in Vietnam and there is no evidence of Agent Orange exposure. His conditions are not attributable to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hypertension during service or within one year of separation, and there is no competent evidence linking his current hypertension to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 18, 2007.

The Veteran's chronic lymphocytic leukemia is presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure. The squamous-cell carcinoma of the penis, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, kidney stones, and kidney cyst are not presumed to be related to service or herbicide exposure.