Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not permanently aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service connected PTSD, and therefore secondary service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension and end stage renal disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence of these conditions during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or within one year after ACDUTRA, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left leg with retained foreign bodies are all rated at their maximum allowable disability ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye disorder due to lack of evidence showing a disease or injury in service. Service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder is not established, as the medical records do not provide sufficient information on their onset during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a higher initial evaluation for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and notification to ensure all necessary information is provided before further adjudication of the claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected hypertension was denied as the evidence did not show that his predominant diastolic or systolic blood pressure reached levels that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since July 9, 2001. The Board is remanding the case to determine if there are any compensable complications of diabetes mellitus that should be evaluated separately.

The veteran's claim for service connection for loss of toes of the right foot was denied because he had all of his right foot toes. The claim for hypertension was remanded due to a need to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is of a severity consistent with no more than one episode of congestive heart failure in the past year, or a workload of 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. As such, an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, asthma, tuberculosis residuals, sinusitis, and a left hand condition have all been denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence of current disabilities associated with these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's CAD currently results in an overall disability picture that more nearly approximates the criteria for a 30 percent rating, thus restoring the original 30 percent rating. The veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine are being remanded due to a need for proper VCAA notice. His claim for an increased evaluation of his hypertension is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings do not consistently meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) is service-connected, but his stomach ulcer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for further development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (vasomotor rhinitis, obstructive airway disease, and hypertension) are being reviewed to determine if they render him unemployable. A new VA examination is needed to assess his employability.