Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran did not have hypertension due to disease or injury incurred in service, and there was no evidence linking a psychiatric disorder or heart disease to his service-connected hypertension. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disc disease with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, hypertension secondary to lumbosacral strain, and psychiatric disability secondary to lumbosacral strain. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not begin during service and is not related to his active military service.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension secondary to PTSD were denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD, and the stressors are not verified.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to service-connected conditions and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for a thorough review of all evidence, including post-service VA clinical records.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the denial of service connection for erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for essential hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the hands and cervical spine, finding that there was no causal link to active service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation assigned. The other claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of active malaria or current residuals thereof. The veteran's left leg, right leg, hip, hypertension, and arthritis were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension began during his active duty for training and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for COPD, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and an anxiety disorder with headaches. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder. The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and a low back disorder are remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his heart condition and hypertension.

The veteran's claims for service connection for gout, hypertension, and kidney disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and a nexus opinion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran had hypertension that was aggravated by his service-connected anxiety and PTSD. The cause of death was cardiac arrest due to or as a consequence of coronary artery disease, which in turn was caused by the veteran's hypertension. Service connection for hypertension is granted for accrued benefits purposes, and service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis B positive antibody, atrophy of the left kidney, and hypertension as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The veteran did not have any chronic infections or significant medical history related to these conditions during service.