Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board found that the evidence did not establish a connection between the veteran's current disabilities and his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to multiple nonservice-connected disabilities, including depression, peptic ulcer disease with gastritis, Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the knees, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, a low back disorder, dermatitis, seizure disorder, and hypertension. The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of emotional instability reaction, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The initial evaluation assigned for his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease was also denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was denied as it was not factually ascertainable during the one year period prior to May 1, 2001.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus) was granted with an effective date of May 8, 2001.

The veteran's hypertension has been found to meet the criteria for an initial 10 percent disability rating, as his diastolic pressure is predominantly 100 or more and continuous medication is required for control.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his service-connected compression fracture of the L-1 vertebra, service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, and service connection for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disability does not preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's hypertension disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper based on the improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, which he claims was sexual assault. The evidence supports this finding and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a chronic cardiovascular disorder that he contends is secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism. He also seeks an increased rating for his service connected condition and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disorder and hypertension did not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 20 percent disability rating and an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension, finding that the reduction in ratings was warranted and that the current evidence did not support an increase.

The Board found that the veteran did not acquire nicotine dependence during his active duty service and denied all claims for secondary service connection.

The Board denied all claims except for an increased rating for PTSD and a retroactive effective date for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic neck or back injury during ACDUTRA, and neither disorder is otherwise related to service.,For his back injuries, two medical opinions based on altered documents created by the veteran were considered inaccurate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.