Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The Board denied secondary service connection for hypertension and a disability manifested by peripheral vascular insufficiency, both asserted to be secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that hypertension is presumed to have been incurred in service due to its manifestation within one year of the veteran's discharge. However, there is no evidence linking a current brain tumor or its residuals to service.,Service connection for a brain tumor and its residuals are not granted as it was not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic, respiratory, and cardiovascular disabilities. The right wrist disability was not related to military service, nor were the low back or bilateral knee disabilities. The bilateral foot disability (plantar warts) was linked to active duty. Hypertension was not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of hypertension or coronary artery disease that is causally related to active service, and it cannot be presumed that these conditions were incurred in service. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted service connection but there is no evidence linking his hypertension or coronary artery disease to this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies in VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for myositis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The veteran's hypertension was not found to be due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and he did not provide sufficient evidence to support a nexus between his current hypertension and his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating increase in excess of the assigned percentages.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his hypertension, which in turn caused his stroke and death. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.

The veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The appellant's spouse had qualifying Philippine Army service but no recognized military service for VA pension purposes. The appellant did not file her claim within the one-year period after the veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for sinus arrhythmia and denied service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 24, 1998, and a higher rating for his service-connected hypertensive heart disease are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for serous otitis media in the right ear, service connection for a low back disorder, and service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease as secondary to hypertension and has also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the veteran's multiple medical conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and renal insufficiency.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disability did not cause or contribute to his death, and denied the claim.

The veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The case is being remanded for additional development of the appellant's medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits claim.