Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness, hypertension, and inguinal cellulitis (claimed as diabetic cysts) due to their secondary relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO is instructed to obtain medical records and provide the veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded for further development due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice. The claim will be reconsidered after additional evidence is obtained.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the service-connected left shoulder disability and reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension, but remanded it for further development due to incomplete examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia, chronic conjunctivitis, impaired vision, a back disorder, broken ribs, hypertension, and condyloma accuminata. The decision also granted an increased evaluation of sinusitis from February 18, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran did not have these conditions in service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including arterial hypertension, was incurred in service. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of chronic heavy sweating due to an undiagnosed illness or any other basis for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, has been remanded due to unclear opinions regarding the etiology of his hypertension and whether it was caused by or aggravated by his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and an eye condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or within one year of discharge. The veteran is requested to provide any relevant medical records, including those from VA facilities since May 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, Type I diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, uremia and renal artery stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and coronary artery disease as due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, a stroke, was not related to his service-connected lupus erythematosis or any other incident of his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it otherwise related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostatic disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to certain hazards or diseases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an ear disorder (claimed as hearing loss) because there was no evidence that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and kidney failure, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The effective date for service connection of bronchial asthma was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, left hand numbness, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence to support these conditions as being related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, with some issues being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The remaining issues of increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board found that the cause of death, cardiovascular arrest due to hypertension, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The veteran's active duty service with the Philippine Commonwealth Army did not qualify him for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the current severity of the veteran's heart and hypertension disorders, as well as his scar, keloid, left hand condition. Additionally, a dermatology examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of the veteran's skin disorder other than the scar on his left hand. The cervical spine and low back disability claims are also remanded for further development.