Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and soft tissue sarcomas of the lung and right upper extremity/right shoulder are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy that are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's GERD, headaches, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, brittle nails, and syphilis are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence linking in-service dermatological issues to his later diagnosed hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the request of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and visual impairment related to diabetes are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of compensable symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, including his in-service asbestos exposure. The cause of death was adenocarcinoma of the esophagus with metastasis, which developed many years after service and is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for transient ischemic attacks, claimed as mini-strokes or blackouts, due to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. The other conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and foot disabilities, including a sleep disorder and hypertension, were denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during his military service or within one year after separation. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have these conditions in service and they are not related to his active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder did not have their onset during his period of active duty service, nor were they otherwise related to any period of service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and thus denied service connection for both conditions. The Veteran's assertions about the onset of these conditions in service were not supported by contemporaneous medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder with alcohol disorder is granted, and the issues of service connection for macular degeneration (on a new and material basis), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, skin disorder, onychomycosis, residuals of right index finger disability, and GERD are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, and he is currently receiving a 50 percent rating for the disability. The RO also granted service connection for PTSD as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter, nor is it the result of any incident occurring during his military service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hypertension and headaches.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, the minimum compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including colon cancer and related issues, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition, left foot condition, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected as they did not manifest in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with this decision.