Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions of hypertension and renal failure has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hypertension and heart disorders, including consideration of secondary service connection on the basis of aggravation.

The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is at least as likely as not the result of herbicide exposure and sun exposure during service. The RO granted service connection for this disability. Other issues remain pending in appellate status.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for a low back disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, bilateral cataracts with right eye pseudophakia, and peripheral neuropathy. However, the claims are adjudicated as mixed (some issues granted, some not) due to the nature of the reopened claims.

The Veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing hypertension or diabetes, and the Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; a heart condition to specifically include coronary artery disease; hypertension; and glaucoma are not supported by evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and developing his asbestos exposure claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during military service and is not otherwise related to such service. The weight of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during military service or is otherwise related to such service.

The Board found that the Veteran's March 2006 notice of disagreement was not timely, and thus denied his claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a neck condition, and a back condition.

The Veteran's left foot disability and hypertension were granted service connection, but the left foot disability received a 10% rating while the hypertension was rated noncompensable.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability that had been rated totally disabling for at least eight years prior to his death. Therefore, the Appellant is not entitled to an increased rate of DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also determined that the Veteran does not have an enlarged heart during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The remaining claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic kidney disease are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Fuchs' dystrophy and cataracts, sleep apnea, hypertension, migraines with hyperventilation and blackouts, psychiatric disorder (depression with anxiety symptoms), and keratoconus have been denied. The maximum rating of 30 percent has been assigned for migraines.

The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance for his service-connected disabilities, including right knee injury, chondromalacia of the left knee, and lumbar spine disability, was granted effective May 14, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated his pre-existing condition, leading to current severity of the right knee disability. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding that obesity may have contributed to the development of hypertension due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board found no service connection for the Veteran's chronic cardiac disorder or hypertension due to lack of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's asthma with COPD is rated at 100 percent effective February 11, 2013. Sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected asthma and COPD. Erectile dysfunction is not found to be related to or aggravated by the service-connected hypertension.