Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, left and right medial collateral ligament strain, and limitation of motion of the right and left knee was assigned as July 31, 1993.

The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his service and the causes of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including obesity, hypertension, chest pain, foot fungus, eye disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran will also be provided a statement of the case regarding an increased rating for gout.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anaphylaxis due to a food allergy is granted. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met, as there is evidence of a current disability (food allergies), in-service incurrence or aggravation of an injury or disease (during service with continued treatment including immunotherapy), and a nexus between the current disability and the in-service disease or injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is at least in part related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for a left shoulder disability.,The Board has also determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise and finds service connection for hypertension is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, glomerulonephritis on renal dialysis, and a coronary disability are denied as the earliest date of claim is July 10, 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on a confirmed in-service stressor. His hypertension and skin disability are being remanded for further development to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and thus, his claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected PTSD. However, the issue of hypertension as secondary to PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such in-service. The claim for service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, sebaceous cyst, and toenail/fingernail fungus secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for glaucoma, hypertension, and paranoid schizophrenia with depressive disorder. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy. The claim for TDIU was also remanded.

The Veteran's memory loss is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, hypertension, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not attributable to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's memory loss is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness. Diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, hypertension, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not attributable to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and congestive heart failure are related to his service-connected PTSD, warranting service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and granted it, finding that his PTSD permanently aggravated his hypertension.