Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his period of active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, high blood pressure, and stomach disorder. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia, is related to his military service. Additionally, the evidence supports a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and issuing a statement of the case on the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's hypertension claim is also remanded for another examination.

The Veteran's skin condition involving the left side of his face is currently rated at 80 percent, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under the Diagnostic Codes for scars. The effective date remains March 16, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy, arterial hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease have not been manifested by persistent edema or albuminuria with BUN of 40 to 80 mg% or creatinine of 4 to 8 mg%, which would warrant a higher rating. The claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no competent evidence linking it to service, despite elevated blood pressure at separation. The claim for vision disorder remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not start during service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in his military service. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus also fails.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including records from private physicians and VA treatment providers.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and hypertension. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of an injury to the rib cage are denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for hypertension due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to circulatory collapse, caused by probable acute myocardial infarction and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. The Board finds that PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and information regarding his employment history.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by a condition incurred or aggravated during his service, including due to asbestos exposure. The VA will also obtain medical opinions regarding whether any such conditions contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or any other herbicide in the Veteran's service records. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; lung cancer; prostate cancer; and hypertension were all denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within a year of her separation from active duty. The Board found that asthma, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral ankle arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome are secondary to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.