Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by being housebound is remanded due to additional development needed, including obtaining treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death, accrued benefits, and death pension due to lack of qualifying military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for right hip arthritis was granted. The claim for reopening his hypertension was also granted, and he is now rated at 100% for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a back disability. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service, and that any current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board found no evidence of the claimed conditions during or within one year after service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear disorder, hypertension, and back pain. The petition to reopen her claim for PTSD (claimed as due to sexual trauma) is pending.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for diminished sex drive, gastroesophageal reflex disorder (GERD), aching joints, ulcers, COPD, hypertension, conjunctivitis, sleep apnea, melanoma, and dermatitis. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension, atherosclerotic heart disease, or cardiovascular disease during service or within one year after service. The veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection was denied for these conditions as they are not directly related to the veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for hypertension with a pacemaker implant and history of coronary artery disease from August 26, 1996 through August 11, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including obtaining medical opinions on the onset of hypertension and coronary artery disease, scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected low back disability, and considering all relevant rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, valvular heart disease, and a psychiatric disability on the grounds that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and residuals of a tonsillectomy due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities resulting from these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a disability in service or within one year post-service discharge. The Board also noted that any opinion relating the current diagnosis to service would be speculative.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric, left ankle, left foot, right foot, low back, and neck conditions. The claim of service connection for a hernia was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim of service connection for hypertension was reopened based on new evidence showing current hypertension in active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and skin rash are not due to service or any other event, injury, or illness. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of its onset in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that hypertension is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a right great toe fracture, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's hypertension to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The veteran's death was caused by pneumonia due to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) as a result of coronary artery disease (CAD). The VA medical treatment from January to March 2000 did not cause or contribute substantially to the veteran's death.