Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had not yet decided the claims of service connection for congestive heart failure and hypertension, which are now moot.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left leg and foot are not shown to be related to service or due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims must be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor are they presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board finds that the cause of the Veteran's death (myocardial infarction) was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The appellant did not provide evidence showing a direct link between any service-connected condition and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran requested a hearing for his appeal, and the case is dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for hypertension. The generalized anxiety disorder issue remains in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Appellant's hypertension did not manifest within one year of service separation and thus is not service-connected. The claim was denied as there was no evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and any period of active or inactive duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a right ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder from July 22, 2004 to December 11, 2008 was rated at 50 percent. From December 12, 2008, the rating for PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder remains at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, with an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted an effective date of March 9, 2009.,An earlier effective date for the increased rating of DM to April 13, 2009 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and gastritis, finding that there was no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side for allergic rhinitis. The rating assigned for gastritis did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability (PTSD and DDD with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications).

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing officer's retirement and requests for another hearing. The issues of service connection for hypertension, headaches, and glaucoma are referred back to the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms during or after service, and no medical opinion linking his current hypertension to service. The Veteran's lay statements asserting a secondary relationship between his diabetes and hypertension were not considered sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for vitiligo and hypertension due to incomplete examination reports, lack of review of relevant literature, and conflicting opinions. The Veteran's claims will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and difficulty in understanding complex commands. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted.