Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected cirrhosis of the liver caused his hypertension, which is now considered secondary to his hepatitis C. The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for hypertension as it is deemed to be related to his service-connected cirrhosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disorder, hemorrhoids/bleeding rupture, kidney disease/kidney cysts, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The hypertension claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has requested a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran due to his request, and will not make a decision on the merits of the case until after this hearing is scheduled.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has not reached a final decision on their merits. The Veteran's tuberculosis was denied as not having been incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of service-connected atrial fibrillation and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in evaluation beyond the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's hypertension and low back disability were granted service connection, with the effective date being December 22, 2007. The initial ratings for both conditions are 20 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated for an increased rating. He also seeks service connection for ED and a psychiatric disorder, as well as reopening his claim for bilateral shin splints.,The Veteran asserts that his ED may be caused or aggravated by his hypertension medications. His psychiatric disability claim involves seeking service connection for anxiety and depression.,The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for bilateral shin splints. The Board finds the current psychiatric claim a new claim based upon distinctly diagnosed diseases, as it includes diagnoses of anxiety and depression.,VA will seek SSA records and Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development records related to the Veteran's claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a right ear disability, and a back disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence showing that any of these conditions were present in service or are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claims of entitlement to increased ratings for low back disability and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation, and thus, the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of fracture of the right fifth metatarsal, and hypertension are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings are not higher based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it is related to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran also needs to be provided with a VCAA notice letter regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of hypertension that was incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds no evidence of chronic hypertension within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for left paracentral disc protrusion at L5-S1 was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The case is being remanded for additional development regarding service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's discharge from active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical nexus opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a medical examination to determine the current impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. Additional relevant medical records, including VA and Travis Air Force Base records, are also requested.