Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is not related to a service-connected disability, thus denying her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and spleen, gall bladder, and pancreas removal are granted as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a written submission.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including articulation disorder (hip), fatigue and low energy, hyperlipidemia, IBS, or diverticulitis. Therefore, his claims are denied.

The Veteran is found to be permanently housebound by reason of service-connected psychiatric disability, and thus qualifies for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that hypertension had its onset in or is related to service, manifested to a compensable degree within one year following service, or is due to or aggravated by type II diabetes mellitus or posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not directly incurred during his service or caused by any in-service injury, event, or illness.

The evidence does not establish a direct link between the Veteran's hypertension and his military service, as there is no diagnosis of hypertension during service or within one year post-service. The first objective diagnosis was in 2005, over ten years after separation.

The Veteran's hypertension was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking the current condition to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is reopened and granted as secondary to his service-connected respiratory disability.,Service connection for asbestosis is granted based on exposure during active duty at Fort Sill.,The claim for increased rating of reactive airway disease remains denied.,Compensation payments for the service-connected left shoulder and low back disabilities are restored.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin rash, and respiratory disorder. The examiner will consider exposure to photochemicals during service as part of their assessment.

The Veteran's service did not involve duty or visitation to Vietnam, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that diabetes mellitus, COPD, hypertension, and lumbar radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be substantiated due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking the claimed condition to service. The claims for service connection for arthritis, DDD, hypertension, and CAD are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a mental disability. The claims for heart disease and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is related to in-service herbicide exposure and service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral artery disease of the lower left extremity was granted a 40 percent evaluation effective February 1, 2009. A noncompensable rating was assigned for hypertension and acid reflux disease.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for skin cancer, hypertension, high cholesterol, residuals of a stroke, and neuropathy of the lower extremities.