Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's son, R., may not be recognized as a 'helpless child' on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of eighteen.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for hypertension and perforation of the left tympanic membrane with hearing loss. The veteran did not provide evidence to support his claim for PTSD due to lack of a confirmed stressor. His hypertension was rated as noncompensable because his diastolic readings were consistently below 100 and he took medication that controlled it. For the perforation of the left tympanic membrane with hearing loss, the veteran's hearing in the service-connected ear was still within normal limits.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension, but denied all other claims. The veteran's hypertension is now subject to a separate decision on its merits.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and determined that it began during his active military service.

The veteran's case is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a member of the Board at the RO.