Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The veteran's increased rating claim for hypertension was denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report without good cause for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis for each claimed condition and there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Therefore, service connection is denied for all claims.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for hypertension during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case is dismissed as a result.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for essential hypertension, finding that there were no sustained elevated blood pressure readings within a year following service.

The veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 25, 1996 Board decision was dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for hypertension and did not address his claims to reopen service connection for gouty arthritis with podagra and degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions. The claims will be reconsidered in light of any new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for a bladder disability, as secondary to nicotine dependence. The remaining issues of service connection for nicotine dependence and respiratory/heart disabilities (including hypertension) are pending.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension, and entitlement to service connection for a prostate disorder, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The AMC is instructed to obtain additional service medical records from the National Guard and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, as well as his application to collaterally attack the final December 1998 rating decision that continued a 10 percent evaluation for seborrheic dermatitis. The issues of entitlement to increased compensation for maxillary sinusitis and anxiety disorder are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has ordered additional medical records and a VA cardiologist's opinion to determine if the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder (PTSD) was at least as likely as not a primary or contributory cause of his death from dissecting aneurysm of the aorta.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, ringing in the ears, and itching sensation all over the body. The claim for increased rating of peptic ulcer disease with pyloroplasty was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The Board also determined that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the veteran's current hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including his psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, right knee disorder, left knee arthritis, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, lung disease (asbestosis), and hypertension. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied all other claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The VA denied service connection for PTSD and hypertension. The veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors or a link between the current conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral arm disability, left knee disability, and hypertension. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and did not address or decide the issue of nonservice-connected death pension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any cardiovascular disability, to include hypertension.