Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board has ordered additional development due to the veteran's testimony regarding worsening PTSD symptoms and his claim for service connection of hypertension secondary to PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for further review after the requested development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has determined that the claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is without legal merit, as there was no pending claim prior to October 21, 2001.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic right knee disability or hypertension attributable to the veteran's active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his bilateral hearing loss warranted a noncompensable evaluation. The other issues were not addressed due to pending appeals.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical evidence to assess his service-connected hypertensive heart disease and hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee arthralgia, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and right shoulder arthralgia. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, and arthritis as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The veteran's assertions of symptoms during service are not supported by contemporaneous records and are in conflict with post-service treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, prostate disorder, and hypertension. The veteran's claims were previously denied in June 1999 due to lack of evidence showing these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have hypertension or gouty arthritis during his active service and denied both claims.

The veteran's hypertension with abnormal electrocardiogram is rated at 30 percent, and the issues of service connection for impotence, low back disability, cervical spine injury, renal insufficiency, migraine headaches, and permanent loss of bladder control are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and clarification of the medical evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's hypertension and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not causally related to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's current coronary artery disease is related to diastolic hypertension, atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta, and a right bundle branch block incurred in active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a 100% schedular rating as of December 9, 2005. The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for TDIU due to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and declined to reopen his claim for hypertension. The RO also continued a 60 percent rating for hepatitis C.