Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records and providing an opinion on whether service-connected PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated at a noncompensable level since October 20, 2006. The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for his hypertension based on the need for continuous medication to control his blood pressure.

The Veteran's hypertension prior to September 20, 2013 did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as her blood pressure readings were consistently below the threshold required under VA regulations.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence of ischemic heart disease during his lifetime and thus no basis to apply the presumption of herbicide exposure. The congestive heart failure was found not related to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or type II diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for lupus, hypertension, and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of lupus during the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and coronary artery disease as due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Hypertension is not service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on in-service stressors. The neck disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to the in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension) do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and congestive heart failure (secondary to hypertension), finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and service connection is granted.,Service connection for hypertension, secondary to coronary artery disease, remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding it presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service. The claim for hypertension remains pending as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and hearing loss were not shown to be related to his military service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, finding that there was no material improvement in his condition since the reduction to 60%.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally or etiologically related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure during service. The claim was also denied as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's headache disorder is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 8, 2005 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is not warranted.