Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for MALT lymphoma/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, TMJ dysfunction, bilateral knee disorders, HTN, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 26, 2008, and a compensable rating for hypertension. The appeal is currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied due to lack of exposure to herbicides in service and no current symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions aggravated by service.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development related to his claims of service connection, particularly regarding exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Guam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease and hypertension) are considered, but the claim is being remanded for additional development to determine if they render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected valvular heart disease, secondary to her service-connected hypertension, has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities since August 19, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his psychiatric disorder, spine, right foot, and right hip disabilities, as well as the severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service. The uterine fibroids that led to her hysterectomy are considered a separate disability from those noted during service. Chest pain is determined to be a chronic condition not related to the Veteran's service-connected GERD or other disabilities. Drug-induced hepatitis and/or hepatotoxicity is found to be secondary to medication for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service connection for hypertension, as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty or any other condition. The claim was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or any presumptive exposure, and it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of diabetes mellitus type II with mild renal insufficiency and hypertension has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and verify his periods of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that the hypertension was less likely caused by or aggravated by the service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents during service or any link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation. The propriety of reducing the evaluation of his CAD from 60 percent to 30 percent is also addressed.