Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neurological symptoms, headaches, skin disorder, muscle pain, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and CFS, were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or service-connected hypothyroidism, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent during the entire initial rating period from October 16, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been incurred in service due to chronic symptoms during and after service, thus granting service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since February 23, 2001. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as her blood pressure readings have consistently been below the criteria for a 20 percent or higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule her for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her hypertension, stroke (transient ischemic attack), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II remains pending.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal for several issues, including service connection for myopic astigmatism and presbyopia and hypertension. The remaining issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right arm disorder, hypertension, diabetes, chest disorder, breathing disorder, eye disorder, and intestinal disorder did not begin during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). As such, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service, including exposure to herbicides. It did not manifest within one year of the Veteran's discharge from service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an eye condition, and stroke due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors.

The Veteran's asbestosis and COPD are presumed to be related to service exposure. His low back disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the reduction in compensation for hypertension from 60 to 20 percent was improper and restored the original 60 percent rating. The Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to his hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder, GERD/hiatal hernia, IBS/diverticulitis, sleep apnea, and hypertension are not shown to be related to service or due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability or hypertension related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including determining whether the Veteran's character of discharge from active duty service constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits and obtaining an etiology opinion regarding the nature and cause of his hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have onset during active service, was not etiologically related to or caused by service, including herbicide agent exposure, and was not caused or aggravated by his service connected disabilities. As a result, the claim for direct service connection was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and headache condition are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.