Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II and a cerebrovascular accident as secondary to his service-connected lung disability. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or within one year post-service.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for the veteran's right thigh disability, but denied an increased rating in excess of 10% for his right thigh scar. The issues of service connection for PTSD and hypertension are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected hypertension and a history of CVA with minimal residual right-sided weakness, finding that the evidence did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to several issues, including a need for review of the claims file by an examiner and proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance is granted due to his psychiatric condition, which requires the daily personal health services of a skilled provider without which he would require hospital or nursing home care.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and determined that he was not in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation at a rate of 100 percent (total rating) due to service-connected disability for a period of ten or more years immediately preceding his death. The appeal is dismissed.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to appellate review, including proper VCAA notice and VA examinations for hypertension, IBS, and a dental disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for mechanical low back pain, hypertension, and right shoulder impingement syndrome were all denied. The Board found no evidence of underlying disabilities that would support these claims.

The Board found that the initial award of a 20% disability rating for hypertension was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus reduced it to 10%. The veteran's blood pressure measurements did not consistently meet the criteria for a 20% rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and neck disabilities, as well as his hypertension, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a cardiovascular disorder other than hypertension, and that his hypertension was not related to service or his service-connected diabetes. Therefore, service connection for a cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and hypertension, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a skin disorder, hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss, bladder disorder, retinal detachment, bilateral cataracts, and loss of eyesight, all claimed as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and thus denied presumptive service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, and hypertension due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for Bell's palsy, hypertension, seizures, and loss of teeth. The case has been remanded due to gaps in the medical record and missing SSA records.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder, including atrial fibrillation.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the veteran did not have peripheral neuropathy or hypertension in service, and these conditions are not related to his diabetes. Therefore, he was denied service connection for both disorders.