Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty and there is no evidence showing a direct link to his service. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II predated his diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides, thus denying service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and determine appropriate ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and is not etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability (presumed to be atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmia), and hypertension were denied as service connection could not be established due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during service. The presumptive provisions for Agent Orange exposure did not apply.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, but denied the remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and degenerative bone disease.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension is granted. The claim for a gastrointestinal disorder, claimed as acid reflux and heartburn, is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or left knee disability, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for hypertension from 20% to 10% effective September 24, 2008 was proper. The overpayment and resultant debt due to retroactive discontinuation of additional compensation based on the Veteran's former marriage was validly created.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches, back and neck disabilities, hypertension, and abdominal disability are not service-connected as they are either not related to his military service or were pre-existing conditions exacerbated by service.

The Veteran's hypertension and left ankle disability are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's PTSD is also found to aggravate his hypertension.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute coronary syndrome, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the appellant was not a 'helpless child' at age 18 due to his ability to support himself through his own efforts, despite having some health conditions and disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service, was not manifested within one year following service discharge, and is not related to herbicide exposure or his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury, Hypertension, and Sleep Apnea. The Veteran's claims were not reopened or new and material evidence was not submitted.