Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to evidence of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits and medical records used by SSA in making its decisions.

The veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has caused some of his atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is being granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The claim for hypertension was denied due to a lack of current evidence, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, intestinal polyps, fungus disorder of the legs and feet, heart disorder (to include hypertension), bilateral hearing loss, and neck disorder. The evidence does not show any current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran died from cardiac failure due to coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. The cause of death is not related to service-connected disabilities, and the appellant does not meet the eligibility requirements for Chapter 35 Survivors'/Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities, and therefore denied both the claim for service connection for cause of death and eligibility for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine if his hypertension is related to his diabetes mellitus, and he must provide additional information about his in-service stressors for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension was set at August 17, 1993. A 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus prior to February 3, 1998 is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and a skin rash. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, and there is no evidence of an inservice stressor linked to PTSD. Hypertension was not shown within one year post-service discharge. A VA examination is needed to determine if the current skin rash is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for myopia, dental trauma, and hypertension. The evidence submitted since the previous decisions did not provide new or material information to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was due to a service-connected disability, specifically hypertension, which is presumed for former prisoners of war. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and bifascicular block on electrocardiogram, which he claims are due to his POW experience. The case has been remanded as the regulations regarding presumptive service connection for former POWs have changed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issue of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, including obtaining additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease including hypertension and increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected epilepsy contributed to his cause of death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from the Social Security Administration.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service and denied all claims.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board granted increased ratings for hypertension with angina and cardiomyopathy, but denied the request for a rating in excess of 60 percent for cardiomyopathy with angina.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, defective vision, hypertension, a skin rash, and athlete's foot. The appeals were based on direct evidence of these conditions without any presumption or secondary relationship to service.