Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all related claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's skin condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. Therefore, the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101 have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his period of service, and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain his National Guard service records and VA treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine the current severity of his left foot disorder and etiology of his hypertension and cardiac disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, respiratory disability, and hypertension as there is no competent evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, pneumonia, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to his in-service conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulitis of the colon, finding that it began during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in May 2007. The Veteran's hypertension and refractive error claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the service connection for hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus type II. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied his claim for hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for muscle aches, headaches, and coughing are being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, left leg varicose veins condition, right leg varicose veins condition, and skin condition are being remanded for further development. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is not currently service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension, LBBB, disability of both arms and hands, and disability of both hips and feet are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under DC 7101, as his blood pressure readings have never consistently been predominantly 160/90 or higher.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is found to be due to service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The heart disability and hypertension are also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the onset of peripheral neuropathy and hypertension, as well as determining whether the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's DM type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board granted service connection for this condition. Service connection was denied for hypertension and hyperlipidemia as there was no evidence of a clinically ascertainable disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, dizziness, and headaches are related to his military service. The medical evidence supports a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and psychiatric disability were not found to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a separate compensable rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, as his blood pressure readings consistently met the criteria for such a rating.