Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension, GERD, prostate disability (benign prostatic hypertrophy), and lung disability (COPD) were not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition. The Board denied these claims.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as the evidence does not show that it was present in service or until many years thereafter, and is not related to service.,Prior to February 8, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder with anxiety were manifested by occupational and social impairment comparable to reduced reliability and productivity. From February 8, 2010 onwards, the impairment was more severe.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a neck disability or hypertension, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,There was no evidence of a current diagnosis in the medical records provided by VA.

The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes and/or PTSD.,For the appeal period prior to July 30, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For the appeal period since July 30, 2009, the PTSD rating remains at 70%. The diabetes has been rated at 20%, as it does not result in complications other than already service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is attributable to in-service herbicide exposure, and his heart disability other than coronary artery disease was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence or argument linking any of the claimed disabilities to service, and thus service connection for osteoarthritis, hypertension, upper respiratory tract infection, COPD with chronic bronchitis, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease cannot be established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected conditions, including those presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. The cause of death was determined to be cardiopulmonary failure due to non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and COPD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse caused his colon cancer, which was a contributory cause of death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service, was not continuous since service, and is not etiologically related to his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence of hypertension during service or within one year post-service, and the medical opinions do not support a link between the Veteran's current hypertension and his in-service blood pressure readings. The Veteran's PTSD was also not shown to have aggravated his hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder, but denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have onset during service or within one year of service, and was not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no reliable evidence to corroborate the Veteran's assertions of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and provide informed opinions regarding his left knee arthritis, hypertension, and potential service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye condition is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining an opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case for the remaining issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for viremia, diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension. The evidence did not establish herbicide exposure or in-service diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities as he does not have one disability of 60% or more and his combined disability rating is less than 70%. However, due to his other non-service connected conditions, including COPD, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diastolic dysfunction, the Veteran may be unemployable.