Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and hypertension are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been controlled by medication throughout the appeal period, but his blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. As such, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including multiple body traumas, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, emphysema, chronic pansinusitis, low back disorder, cardio-pulmonary disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and osteoarthritis of the knees, right forearm, and right hand. The appeal was decided on the merits without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all claims have been dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension and mood disorder with PTSD have been granted initial evaluations, but the hypertension has only received a non-compensable rating prior to June 7, 2016, and a 20 percent rating thereafter. The mood disorder with PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2008, to July 5, 2009, and increased to 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents, toxins, or jet fuel during his active duty service. The liver disorder and burned arms are not shown to be related to his active duty service.,There is no evidence of ionizing radiation exposure during the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, finding no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service. The eye condition claim is remanded due to newly received VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. However, as there is no credible evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or any other form of Agent Orange, and neither condition manifested within one year of separation from service, service connection cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for addendum opinions regarding heart disability and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his bladder cancer and hypertension to his Vietnam service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dysthymic disorder was granted, and he is currently receiving a 70 percent rating. The RO denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his periods of service and further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for acid reflux and sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his right ear, but he has left ear hearing loss for VA purposes. However, as this condition is not shown within one year following discharge from service, it cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. Tinnitus was also not shown during service or within the first post-service year and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The claim for hypertension remains pending as further examination and opinion are needed to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to a lack of evidence showing it within one year post-service. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or any other condition.

The Veteran's upper gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not service connected as they were not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and either the Veteran's active military service or his service-connected PTSD.