Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and PTSD due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and residuals of triple bypass (claimed as clogged arteries) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not exist prior to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for essential hypertension and a chronic skin rash of the groin, finding no direct or secondary service connection. The veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease including hypertension and cerebrovascular disease resulting in a stroke were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to any specific environment. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for hypertension cannot be granted.

The veteran's nicotine dependence is not service-connected, and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accident residuals are also not service-connected. The VA does not owe compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and pharyngitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 60 percent, which is required to establish entitlement to non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral circulatory deficit, hypertension, and tonsillitis. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's appeal for pension benefits prior to October 12, 2001 has been withdrawn. The remaining service connection issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's appeals for evaluations of hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, chronic lumbosacral strain, vertigo, and tinnitus were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal on these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension did not manifest during his active military service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his service. The Board also found no presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure or other factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension more likely than not had its onset during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and right ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for PTSD. The RO also declined to reopen a claim for left ear hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a link between the veteran's hypertension and kidney condition during service, or within one year post-service. The RO notified the appellant of the evidence needed to substantiate these claims and obtained all relevant evidence designated by the appellant.

The Board found that the veteran's current left shoulder disability did not originate in or is otherwise related to his active service, and denied the claim for service connection.