Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, carotid artery disease, and hypertension are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current kidney stones, kidney cancer and its residuals (right nephrectomy scar), and hypertension are not service-connected. The erectile dysfunction claim is denied as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, and a low back disorder were denied as there is no evidence of any such conditions during his period of active duty or since.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, colon condition, gout, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not service-connected due to lack of in-service incidents or evidence linking these conditions to his time in service. The claim for service connection for headaches was denied as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address the etiology of his sleep apnea and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, and his erectile dysfunction is noncompensable. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and found that hypertension was not service-connected as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for lower back disorder, and service connection for hypertension. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's asbestosis has been granted service connection based on in-service asbestos exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep apnea are related to his service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia and sickle cell trait were denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability for these conditions, as they are laboratory findings or congenital defects respectively. For CAD with heart valve malfunction and scoliosis, the Board finds that additional development is needed due to incomplete STRs and lack of definitive medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD and/or CAD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for hypertension, cold injuries of the left upper extremity, and a disorder manifested by syncope. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension was not established as it did not manifest within one year post-service. Cold injuries of the left upper extremities are not shown by the competent evidence of record, and a disorder manifested by syncope has not been linked to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tonsil disability, including left tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, is not caused by or related to his active duty service. The Veteran's hypertension was also not shown to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, specifically noting symptoms of elevated blood pressure in active and reserve service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for hypertension and a higher initial rating for his back disability have been denied. The Board found that the March 2003 denial of service connection for hypertension was final, and no new or material evidence had been submitted prior to May 12, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents, and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for further development, including a VA medical examination. The issues of service connection for hypertension and dementia are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed, but the VA examiner found no direct link between his service-connected PTSD and cause of death. The hypertension was also not linked to PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension was manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly less than 120, and the Board denied a higher rating as his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.