Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension, BPH, and transient ischemic attack are being reopened due to new evidence. The lung disorder (collapsed lung) is not related to service.,Service connection has been granted for hypertension, BPH, and transient ischemic attack.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not develop during his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of nightmares, a startle response, and hypervigilance. His GAF scores were between 45 and 48 throughout the period on appeal. The VA examiner found that his PTSD contributed to some of his symptoms but did not cause significant impairment in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left upper and lower extremity disability, left hand sweats, and erectile dysfunction associated with a cerebrovascular accident, are rated at the 20 percent level.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for hypertension, skin disorder, or joint pain due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's conditions are not presumed as a result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, including herbicide exposure. The examiner must also address the relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his claimed hypertension.

Service connection for CAD and PTSD was granted with effective dates of April 17, 2009. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are service-connected. The claim for hypertension is pending as secondary to PTSD. The TDIU request is granted.

The Board found no evidence of shoulder injury or disease during service, and the Veteran did not present any credible argument to support his claim. As a result, the claims for service connection for shoulder arthritis, hypertension, heart disability, and erectile dysfunction were denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is less likely than not related to his service, service-connected diabetes mellitus, PTSD, or presumed Agent Orange exposure. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to alcoholic cirrhosis, which was caused by alcohol dependence aggravated by PTSD resulting from combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and worker's compensation records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address his ED, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence of hypertension during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current diagnosis was not caused by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC at a higher level due to his need for regular aid and attendance by another person.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as it did not develop in service or within the first post-service year, and there is no evidence of a link between PTSD and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial compensable disability rating for colon polyps, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not present in service, did not manifest until more than one year after his discharge from service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU prior to September 16, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found not to meet the criteria for higher ratings.