Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an opinion regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including left eye glaucoma, right eye uveitis, anxiety disorder (depression), hypertension, and heart disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding no new and material evidence to support her claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death. The appellant contends that her husband died as a result of his service-connected PTSD, which caused or worsened conditions leading to his death.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The claim for service connection for hypertension due to tobacco use in service was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and providing specific VCAA notification.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's hypertension, currently rated at 10 percent. The medical evidence shows that his blood pressure readings have not met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including addressing secondary service connection claims for multiple conditions associated with diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim for VA benefits due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and hypertension are service-connected based on direct evidence, without any need for reopening of claims or consideration of presumptions.

The veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he alleges was first manifested during his active military service in 1990-91. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's hypertension is related to this period of service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension that he believes is related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's hypertension and his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding the veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for the RO to obtain private treatment records from Drs. Kapadia and Shah, which have not been associated with his VA medical record.

The veteran's service records show treatment for sinus congestion and headaches, but no chronic disability was found. The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current heart condition other than hypertension.,There is no evidence of a chronic heart condition or hypertension beginning during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinea pedis, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an eye disorder, finding that these conditions are not related to his active service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for the veteran's cause of death, but it is unclear whether this evidence establishes a direct link between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his cause of death. The appellant presented testimony indicating possible exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, atherosclerotic aorta, chronic cough, nape pain, and periodic respiratory symptoms, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The VA has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notification.