Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical opinions provided did not establish a link between the claimed condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for obstructive sleep apnea established and increased ratings for PTSD, asthma, right shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals, seborrheic dermatitis, and hypertension. The Veteran is also granted TDIU as of August 28, 2009.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disorder in service or within one year after separation, and concluded that the current back condition is not related to active duty. For hypertension, while the Veteran served in Vietnam, there was no indication of herbicide exposure. The Board determined that the current hypertension is less likely due to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and chronic renal failure. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to the secondary service connection aspect.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals from dengue fever is being considered, but the relationship between his hypertension and stroke remains unclear. The Board will need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of exposure to toxins while in service and examinations to determine the cause of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted a rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. Service connection was denied for ED, GERD, OSA, a GI disorder, and a sleep disorder (other than OSA). The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and is not otherwise related to his period of active service. The claim for secondary service connection based on diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that any of these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of a higher rating for hypertension and service connection for chronic bronchitis have not been decided.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder, and joint pain due to herbicide exposure as the Veteran's reports of such exposure are not credible.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied, as the evidence does not show that it requires insulin or a restricted diet.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder. The Veteran's account of in-service stressors and symptomatology is credible and highly probative. Service connection is granted based on the presumption of soundness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertension with heart involvement, and renal insufficiency required treatment including insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities from October 14, 2004 to September 12, 2008. A higher rating is not warranted during this period.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, including service connection for a left hip disability and increased ratings for various joints and hypertension. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his active service. The Board denied service connection for hypertension as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within the presumptive period, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure that would warrant a presumption of service connection.