Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension, allergic rhinitis, and left wrist ganglionectomy residuals have been denied. The RO has already assigned the maximum available benefit of 10 percent for each condition.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred in September 2, 2002 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, PTSD, a skin disorder (claimed as pseudofolliculitis barbae), and hypertension. The claim for residuals of a right ankle fracture was also denied. The veteran's claims for reopening his anxiety reaction and diabetes mellitus were not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension, finding that hypertension was not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The effective date claim for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, hypertension (due to herbicide exposure), irregular heartbeats, and left foot fungus. The evidence submitted since previous denials did not provide new or material evidence to support reopening any of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension and also denied his claim for service connection for loss of eyesight, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension as presumptively incurred due to the veteran's status as a former prisoner of war. Service connection is denied for malnutrition.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service, and therefore is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims of secondary service connection for diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension with renal insufficiency are denied as they are premised on a presumed service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking them to his in-service motor vehicle accident and subsequent brain syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but found no evidence of a chronic pulmonary disorder due to active duty. The veteran's fungus Candida of the groin is currently rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for hypertension, with left ventricular hypertrophy, was dismissed due to the death of the veteran while his appeal was pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for submaxillary salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma and skin rash secondary to Agent Orange, as well as his PTSD and hypertension. The cancer of the larynx claim was also denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that the service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death, and therefore, does not meet the criteria for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hypertension, prostate disorder, colon polyps, nodule of the right lung, diverticulitis, hernia, papilloma lesion of the right temple, and bilateral conjunctivitis, were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, which is now granted as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's hypertension is associated with his active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.