Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability during service or manifest within one year post-service. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The Board also found that the veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease have been aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, warranting service connection on this basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a need for proper notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA aid and attendance/housebound examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him housebound or unable to independently perform daily functions.

The Board denied service connection for cause of the veteran's death as there was no competent evidence linking his death to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hypertension due to disease or injury incurred in service, and it may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim of service connection for diabetic retinopathy is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the appellant's current kidney disorder, including end-stage renal disease and IgA nephropathy, is not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding that he incurred these conditions during active duty or any other period of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, residuals of a neck injury, and hypertension. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus contributes to the severity of his hypertension, and therefore secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of service discharge, and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an in-person Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is well-controlled on current medications and does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Atlanta RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected hypertension and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable VA criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and depressive disorder. The claim for low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to the AMC for compliance with VCAA requirements, and will be reviewed again after additional development.

The veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and an increased rating for duodenal ulcer disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence to support a finding that it was caused by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.