Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for an examination addressing whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arthritis of the right wrist as secondary to his service-connected conditions, and also denied an increased rating for his right wrist scar.,The VA examinations did not find any evidence supporting a link between the veteran's current conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to a lack of credible evidence supporting his claimed stressors during active duty.

The veteran's recurrent boils in the rear of the neck are found to be due to treatment for the same condition during service while serving in Vietnam. The arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, heart murmur, and hypertension are not considered service-connected.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, and no higher initial ratings are warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to its manifestation within one year following the veteran's period of active service. The claim of service connection for residuals of a stroke is remanded as it requires further medical opinion regarding the etiology of the stroke.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including high blood pressure, back disorder, left leg pain (other than peripheral neuropathy related to diabetes mellitus type II), depression, hyperglycemia, bilateral knee disorders, right hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection in these cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cardiovascular disease as secondary to his service-connected nicotine dependence and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The evidence did not show that the veteran had any cardiovascular disease during service or within one year after separation, nor was there any relationship between his current cardiovascular disease and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating, and his hypertension warrants a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring proper notification of VA's duty to assist. The veteran's claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular accident, vision loss of the right eye, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the veteran's active service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease were not incurred or aggravated during service and are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for verification of stressors related to PTSD and additional development of private treatment records.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for hypertension, right shoulder disability, or heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding the veteran's asbestos exposure and its relation to his current lung disorder, coronary artery disease, and hypertension.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension, an initial disability rating higher than 40 percent for hematuria, and a compensable disability rating for residuals of a right eye injury. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors. The veteran is also to be examined by a VA psychiatrist to determine if PTSD was incurred during service and whether any current psychiatric disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service. A VA examination is also needed to determine if porphyria cutanea tarda and peripheral neuropathy are related to service.

The Board has determined that the causes of the veteran's death (coronary artery disease, anemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus) are not service-connected.