Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board found no evidence to support a finding that the veteran's hypertension was incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, visual complications of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, residuals of fractured ribs, and aneurysm of the chin with blood clots. The Board found that these conditions were not related to military service.

The veteran's status post urethroplasty due to urethral stenosis with recurrent cystitis and urethritis is rated at 60 percent since May 2002, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation. The chronic renal disease with hypertension remains at 30 percent.

The Board found that the cause of death, end stage Alzheimer's disease (myocardial infarction), was not caused by or substantially related to service-connected disability. The veteran did not have a service-connected disability at the time of his death and there is no evidence linking any of his post-service conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service connection for hypertension was initially granted based on treatment during reserve duty. The Board has now remanded the case to determine if his current hypertension is related to active duty service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension were denied as there was no evidence of their onset during active duty or within one year after separation, and the Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his request for withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the criteria for a 100 percent rating for service-connected PTSD have been met, and this decision is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors related to PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of service-connected hypertension, sarcoidosis, and vascular headaches are being remanded due to the failure to obtain necessary medical records and provide proper VCAA notification.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies in VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered and to provide proper notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 23, 1996 for a scar extending from the umbilicus laterally to the right costal margin was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased within one year of the filing of his claim.,The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of February 23, 1996 based on the VA examiner's opinion that the condition was due to his kidney problems.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.,The veteran is also granted an initial evaluation of 80 percent for his seizure disorder, which was previously rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary heart disease, hypertension, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm, finding that the proper effective date is September 28, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected prostate cancer/prostatectomy and PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) thrombosis and hypertension, was not related to his service. The unavailability of his service medical records did not prejudice him as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, finding that the veteran's symptoms were manifestations of his service-connected psychiatric disorder (panic disorder with agoraphobia and dysthymia) rather than indicative of any chronic, organic cardiovascular disease.