Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board found no evidence of a heart condition or hypertension in service, and the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of cardiovascular disease during service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of medical evidence does not support a relationship between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. Erectile dysfunction and hypertension are also presumed to be related to the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disorder, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a headache disorder. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the condition did not have its onset in active service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for hypertension due to incomplete VCAA notifications and the need to obtain records from Dr. B.A.M, among others.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II; service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, and an eye condition (claimed as retinitis and cataracts); and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, both secondary to diabetes mellitus, has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking his acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, or lung disorder to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted. Service connection for symptoms claimed as residual of Agent Orange exposure was denied, and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and sinusitis. The low back disability was rated as 40 percent disabling since service connection was established. Hypertension is well controlled with medication but does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. Sinusitis symptoms do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

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

The veteran's hypertension is well controlled and does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. His PTB, which was initially active but has since resolved, does not have any current residuals to rate.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing at the Waco, Texas Regional Office.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected dysthymic disorder and had their onset during active military service, granting service connection for headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, a disability incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The cause of death listed on his certificate of death is myocardial infarction due to, or as a consequence of, congestive ischemic cardiomyopathy.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension with coronary artery disease, which he claims was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to obtain medical records that may provide information on the date of onset of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his active military service. The most probative evidence indicates that he did not have hypertension during service or within one year of separation, and there is no medical evidence showing a link between his current condition and his time in service.

The Board has found that the veteran's hypertension does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his metastatic liver cancer to his military service.