Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, a neck disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as aggravated by diabetes mellitus, type II and for heart disease (left ventricular hypertrophy) caused by diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying National Guard service dates. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for depression, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral elbow and shoulder disability have been denied.

The Veteran's application for TDIU was received on May 4, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 30, 2013 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat service in Vietnam, and he was exposed to traumatic stressors during service.

The Veteran's death was caused by undiagnosed ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be service-connected. The appellant's appeal for accrued benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 has been withdrawn or dismissed due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, and onychomycosis are all found to be related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and right little finger fracture were evaluated, but the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and right little finger fracture were evaluated, but the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge for his period from March 1960 to September 1963 was dishonorable, and thus he is not entitled to VA benefits based on this service. The remaining claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active duty training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions were related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions were related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as well as her claim for nonservice-connected death pension due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable rate.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions, including diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, renal disability, hypertension, and presbycusis, are not service connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct or presumptive service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development and examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, fibromyalgia, thyroid disability, gastrointestinal disability, upper respiratory disability (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), skin disorder, and hysterectomy are related to service. As such, these claims have been granted.,The Board has also found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, fibromyalgia, thyroid disability, gastrointestinal disability, upper respiratory disability (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), skin disorder, and hysterectomy are related to service. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not sustained during service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities or medications.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

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