Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is more likely than not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to cold injury sustained during service. However, hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's metastasized stomach cancer and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service and is unrelated to a service-connected disability, including depressive disorder and/or left hip abductor myositis.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed hypertension was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his service-connected coronary artery disease and iliac crest deformities. The evidence did not establish a link between the hypertension and any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service or due to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's gout, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disorder did not have their onset during service or due to any incident of service. The claims were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for rash and scarring of the right ankle, rash and scarring of the feet and legs bilaterally, and hypertension. The Veteran's skin disability is presumed to have been incurred during his active military service, while his hypertension is presumed to have become manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including major depression and PTSD, and as a result of NSAIDs used for these conditions. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shoulder disability, migraine headaches, CNS disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and skin disability (melanoma), have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder did not have onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service, including in-service exposure to herbicides. The claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and fingers are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's service at Ubon RTAFB and determining if he was exposed to herbicides. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disorder and hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and high blood pressure are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service. However, the issue of nonspecific dermatitis is being granted based on finding CUE in the March 2005 rating decision.