Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the veteran's hypertension and headaches are related to service, including his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the April 2004 supplemental statement of the case and because ongoing medical records need to be obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension do not warrant increased ratings prior to May 16, 2005 or effective from May 16, 2005. The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, hypertension, and PTSD were denied. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions, and the stressors claimed by the veteran for PTSD could not be verified.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and clarification of the relationship between the veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty in the medical opinions provided and the need for a heart condition examination.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension or anxiety during service, and denied both claims as there is insufficient medical evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the submission of a December 1977 VA clinical record by the veteran, which was not previously associated with his claims file. The RO is instructed to obtain and compare these records from James A. Haley VA Hospital.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease as secondary to his service-connected lichen planus. The appeal is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence was presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a psychiatric disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder), a chronic pulmonary disorder, prostatitis with benign prostatic hypertrophy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart disease. The appeals were also addressed regarding reopening of claims for arthritis, back disorder, and ulcer.

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

The veteran's application for RH insurance was denied because he did not meet the 'good health' criteria, as his nonservice-connected conditions exceeded the allowed threshold.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence does not show a link between the veteran's military service and his current diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not develop during service or within a year of separation, and thus cannot be granted service connection. The need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied as there is no evidence showing he requires such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's hypertension and venous insufficiency are not found to be related to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Diabetic retinopathy and vision loss were not found in the record.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, to include hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and notification.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to active service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the increase in disability due to hypertension is considered as aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's death is service-connected for purposes of VA burial benefits due to heart disease and hypertension, which are presumed to be related to his POW status.