Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for skin tags and herpes zoster lesions (claimed as a skin disorder) was withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have current peripheral neuropathy, and thus cannot establish service connection on a secondary basis to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The issue of service connection for COPD is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding whether his current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis, ulcers, heart disorder with hypertension, GERD, prostate disorder, erectile dysfunction, diverticulitis, skin disorder of the hands and feet, and pre-cancer skin condition are all related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as the evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or direct service connection.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a distinct heart disability other than hypertension, and thus denied the claim for service connection for heart disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, bilateral lung disability, skin disability, and impotence. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, gastritis, and duodenitis were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The disabilities are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to further development of evidence being required. The right knee sprain claim is not granted, and other service connection claims are also not granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's private physician stated that his hypertension was contributed to and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and variances in the rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected nephropathy with hypertension was not shown to be separate and distinct from his service-connected diabetes mellitus prior to August 6, 2002. The effective date for the grant of service connection for this condition is fixed at May 8, 2001, as that is when the regulation enabling service connection for the primary disorder was established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arterial hypertension with proteinuria and glomulosclerosis, low back pain, and a right knee condition, preclude gainful employment. The Board finds that the requirements for a TDIU rating are met.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not cause or contribute to his death. Neither diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nor hyperparathyroidism were shown to have had onset during service or be related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was incurred during her active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication for control, was rated at 10 percent prior to August 20, 2008 and increased to 10 percent thereafter. The rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hepatitis C, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot, ankle and hip injuries, as well as vision loss and hypertension secondary to diabetes, were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, fibromyalgia and/or chronic pain syndrome, and hepatitis C. The decision is final as it was not appealed within the allowed time period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and asthma are not related to service exposure to asbestos, and his heart disease and hypertension are not related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to service.