Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have hypertension or residuals of a stroke that are related to his military service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and a skin disability. The decision also addressed other issues such as diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and sleep apnea.

The veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. His duodenitis is not considered a compensable disability for VA purposes, and the Board has granted an increased rating of 70% for PTSD effective May 7, 1997.

The veteran's hypertension disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,His bilateral hearing loss was previously rated as noncompensable and has been increased to a 10 percent rating since March 25, 2004.,The left shoulder disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, to include hypertension, as the veteran's June 1968 blood pressure reading of 160/100 during active duty is considered evidence of in-service onset. The claim for an increased rating for tonsillitis remains pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches was granted. The Board found that the veteran had a history of migraine-type headaches prior to his military service and continued to experience these headaches after separation, linking them to his period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and hypertension.

The veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The claims for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 and 1318 are dismissed as the criteria for allowance of dependency and indemnity compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1310 have been met.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee arthritis and hypertension, prevented him from successfully pursuing a vocational rehabilitation program.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hypertension or asthma that is attributable to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and heart disease are not related to his active service or to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arterial hypertension, sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis as secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type I, hypertension, and renal disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's cardiovascular disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was due to service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease, which contributed substantially or materially to his demise. However, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied as the veteran did not have a total rating for 10 years prior to his death.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's conditions, including hypertension, tinnitus, hearing loss, prostatitis, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The RO will also review the expanded record and readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The RO denied service connection for several conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, status post cardiovascular accident times two, hypertension, status post myocardial infarction, bilateral hearing loss, Hepatitis A, B and C, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as his left leg amputation was not caused by VA care or lack thereof.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and traumatic arthritis of the left ankle were denied as there is no evidence that warrants an increase in disability rating beyond the current 10% evaluations.