Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has granted secondary service connection for hypertension, finding that the veteran's diabetes mellitus aggravated his pre-existing hypertension.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for hypertension, finding that the veteran's blood pressure readings have been well-controlled and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board is remanding the case to consider a recent medical opinion and additional evidence, including records from Deaconess Hospital, Heartland Care Center, and Integris Bethany Hospital.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart disability, as well as his requests for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, and special adaptive housing or special home adaptation grant. The reasons include lack of evidence linking current disabilities to military service.

The Board denied all service connection claims, including those for skin disorders and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and incomplete evidence. The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, headaches, arthritis of the lumbar spine, dental trauma from service, and a right index finger fracture.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims was caused by stress related to his service-connected PTSD. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and the need to consider secondary service connection.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal, thus dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were first manifested during a period of active duty for training in May 1984, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has found that the veteran had chronic left knee disorder with degenerative joint disease incurred during service. The veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability within VA's definition of such a condition.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and a mitral valve disorder. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from his private physician.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sinus bradycardia, systolic ejection murmur, pain of the knees and feet (other than undifferentiated connective tissue disorder with Raynaud's Phenomenon), and a low back disorder. The initial ratings assigned for urinary incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome with esophagitis, and undifferentiated connective tissue disorder with Raynaud's Phenomenon have also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. A noncompensable rating is assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's death was due to sudden cardiac death, and his service-connected PTSD significantly contributed to the cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not develop as a result of the veteran's PTSD and was not caused by his active duty service.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issues regarding migraine headaches and hypertension are remanded for further development.