Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus, service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for reopening a right knee disability is also being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease. The evidence did not show a chronic condition in service or within an applicable presumption period.

The RO denied service connection for cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, finding no new and material evidence to support the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran has current residuals of a skull fracture and/or headache disorder. The claim will also be reviewed in light of the law relating to service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a back injury, and hypertension. The appellant needs to provide records from his periods of active duty for training, including those related to his 1964 and 1965 surgeries, post-service injuries, worker's compensation claim, and Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death or contribute substantially to it. The cause of death was listed as irreversible bradyarrhythmias due to cor pulmonale and severe pulmonary hypertension, with arterial hypertension contributing but not causing death.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and opinions regarding the cause of death. The veteran's sister needs to be contacted for information on his healthcare providers.

The May 1993 rating decision denied service connection for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or otherwise. The Board has determined that the May 1993 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed skin disorders, including chloracne, are not related to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and pulmonary hypertension, finding that these conditions were not related to the veteran's active duty service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for focal global glomerulosclerosis with hypertension was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for aortic valve stenosis and hypertension.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination for PTSD and issuance of a SOC on the remaining issues.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, right otitis media, and bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction. The claim for increased evaluation of lumbosacral disc disease at L4-L5 was denied as the findings did not meet criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an increased evaluation of reflux esophagitis, to include hiatal hernia, was granted with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the April 2005 medical opinion is not adequate for adjudication purposes and requires further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cardiovascular disease.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not due to VA treatment performed at the Las Vegas VAMC from 1996 until 1999, including in July 1999. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was cardiopulmonary arrest due to or as a consequence of coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for PTSD and denied service connection for hypertension. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by total occupational and social impairment, while the evidence does not support a finding that his hypertension was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disability and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, and heart disease. The RO found that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.