Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board finds that the veteran does not require aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including diabetic retinopathy which resulted in blindness in one eye. Therefore, he is denied special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a disability manifested by hypertension or heart disease. The veteran's PTSD claim was remanded for further development and review, as the in-service stressors need to be verified. The glaucoma and early cataracts claims are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that an earlier effective date for the award of non-service-connected disability pension is not warranted, as there was no prior informal or formal claim received by VA prior to November 13, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran did not have type II diabetes mellitus or hypertension due to service, and denied these claims. The claim for erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected hypertension was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The veteran's appeal of his claims for increased ratings for hypertension and left knee disability prior to August 10, 2001, has been withdrawn. The claim for an increased rating for the left knee disability is remanded for additional development.

The veteran's arterial hypertension is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied the claim for an increased rating, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The veteran's death was caused by a myocardial infarction, with hypertension listed as a significant condition contributing to death. Service connection for the cause of death is denied because there is no evidence linking diabetes mellitus (service-connected) to the heart disease that led to his death. Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for various other conditions, finding no current diagnoses of these disorders in the record. The appeals to reopen claims for hypertension, joint disease, back disorder, knee disorders, gout, left thumb disability, left leg disorder, and skin disorder were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of October 3, 1997 for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and skin disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to be related to service. The claims for these disabilities are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for a seizure disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss. The RO assigned noncompensable initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, headaches, and a low back disorder, all claimed as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The appeals were based on presumptive service connection.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied. As service connection for PTSD has been denied, service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD is also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation have been denied. The left shoulder disorder claim has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection. Hypertension is not related to service, and there is no evidence that it was caused by VA care. The psychiatric and rectal disorders are also not related to service or VA care. Finally, the residuals of the fracture of the right 5th metacarpal do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding no evidence of these conditions during active duty or a continuity of symptoms since separation. The appellant's assertions are not considered competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disability, specifically excluding hypertension. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and examination reports.