Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The RO denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as due to Agent Orange exposure in September 2008, and no appeal was submitted within one year of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the rating period.,Service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension and atrial fibrillation, was also denied due to lack of direct or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including depression and PTSD, is service-connected.,His headaches are presumed to be related to his Gulf War service.,His left shoulder condition first manifested during service.,His neck condition likely began in-service due to a motor vehicle accident.,Erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability and hypertension.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected.,Hypertension is also service-connected, linked to the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of her claims on appeal, including those for service connection and initial disability ratings.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension. Ratings were denied for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, with no rating assigned for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for IBS, Allergic Rhinosinusitis, Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety Disorder prior to December 9, 2010, and Hypertension have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU. Service connection has not been established for the respiratory condition, right knee disability, or hypothyroidism.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to his active service or time in the reserves. The issue of whether new and material evidence exists to re-open the claim for tinnitus remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between his current conditions and military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD are granted. The initial compensable rating of 10 percent for tinea pedis and onychomycosis is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and transient ischemic attacks and right middle cerebral infarct, combine to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his prostate cancer disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and presumed Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran will need a VA medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Biloxi Vet Center and providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not yet decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to November 1, 2010, for tinnitus and a compensable rating for hypertension. The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there was no current diagnosis. The claim of left ear hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims of headaches were also not reopened.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar disability with sciatica, hypertension, and migraine headaches are being remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected conditions, including left and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected hypertension and scar of the left lower extremity, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis are found to have originated during his active service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.