Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his multiple disabilities, which require assistance with activities of daily living and protection from environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is causally related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, hypertension, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for congestive heart failure, primary biliary cirrhosis, hiatal hernia, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and prostate cancer are denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for hypertension, headaches, stomach acid reflux disease; entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent from July 19, 2006 through November 14, 2012, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD; and an effective date prior to July 19, 2006, for the assignment of a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the issuance of a statement of the case and scheduling of a Board hearing.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis was incurred during service and is currently shown. The Board finds that the Veteran has entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and grants this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension began during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death due to cardiopulmonary arrest, diabetes, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disability is less likely as not caused by or a result of his active duty service. The evidence does not show that hypertension manifested within one year of separation from service, and there are no in-service findings related to eye disabilities. As such, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been REMANDED due to the need for a hearing before the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's skin disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, finding no evidence of a relationship to service or service-connected conditions.,A skin disorder claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back disability, hypertension, prostate cancer, and hearing loss have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service noise exposure or chronic otitis media resulting in current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right inguinal hernia with scar was granted at a 10% disability rating. The service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were reopened on new evidence, but the secondary service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was previously granted in a February 2005 rating decision, and an increased rating to 10 percent was granted effective from February 27, 2007. The current claim for an increase is denied as the evidence does not show that her diastolic pressure readings are predominately 110 or more, or her systolic pressure readings are predominately 200 or more.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions in service or during the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that these conditions were not related to any service-connected disability.