Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate his newly raised issues, including an increased rating for right knee disability and service connection claims. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension and nicotine dependence, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and could not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also determined that his hypertension is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, both claimed as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are either caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any GERD and hypertension disorders found to be present, as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome due to incomplete VCAA notice, further medical development is needed, and a supplemental statement of the case must be provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service or his service-connected diabetes, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for erectile dysfunction, an effective date prior to January 12, 2001 for service connection of erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance during the period from May 1, 1996, to October 1, 1997 are all denied.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including upper gastrointestinal bulb disorder, chronic prostatitis, bladder injury residuals, flat feet, hypertension, rupture and strain of the left testicle, muscle strain and cartilage injury of the stomach, heart and chest, hiatal hernia, left leg and groin disability (including varicose veins), and broken ribs.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and considering all evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for arterial hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his right ankle disability and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless as to require such assistance.

The Board finds that the evidence is consistent with the veteran's contentions that his currently diagnosed hypertension was incurred during active military service and grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction and coronary bypass graft, finding that these conditions did not have their onset during active service or within one year after separation from service, or result from disease or injury in service. The Board also found that they were not caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's interstitial lung disease, which is secondary to asbestosis, meets the criteria for a rating of 100 percent under VA regulations.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The claims for bilateral tinnitus and hypertension were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VCAA notification and will provide a proper VCAA notification letter.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in May 1992. The Board held that the denial was due to clear and unmistakable error, and established service connection for hypertension and heart disease effective September 1991. Accrued benefits were paid from September 1, 1997, through August 1, 1999.