Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and congestive heart failure due to insufficient analysis of McLendon criteria, and because there is evidence indicating that these conditions may be related to service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to sleep apnea. As a result, this issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertension and myocardial infarction status post coronary artery bypass grafting) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; and peripheral neuropathy of his hands and feet. The evidence did not show any in-service exposure to herbicides or other potential causative factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease to obtain a medical opinion on whether his conditions are related to service-connected disabilities, specifically vascular headaches. The heart disorder claim is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder and/or hypertension, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions and that any existing hypertension was not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's hypertension was more likely due to weight gain rather than any medication related to his left knee disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for upper back or cervical spine disability and hypertension. The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,VA examinations should be scheduled to assess whether the Veteran currently has an upper back or cervical spine disability, and if so, whether it is more likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability related to the claimed conditions and insufficient medical evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of a penile deformity, which would be required for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board is requesting additional VA records from Guam and will consider the claims again after receiving these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year of her separation from service and is not otherwise related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has vacated the October 2010 decision denying a compensable initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss due to an error in the claims file. The claim of service connection for hypertension remains denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension and a skin disorder. The prior denials were based on lack of nexus between current conditions and service, with no new or additional evidence provided since the last final decisions.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and coronary artery disease with hypertension and angina are not related to his military service, including exposure to toxic gas or bronchitis during service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange, and the veteran's current disabilities were not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The Board denied service connection as there was no direct link between his claimed conditions and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and neck disability are not related to service, either directly or through a secondary basis. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Board finds that service connection for hypertension is warranted as there is evidence of an elevated blood pressure reading during military service and competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current hypertension to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.