Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded due to a lack of medical evidence on its etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a low back disorder, and a skin disorder claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of pre-existing conditions or aggravation in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a cardiac disability, as well as his claim for disability benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various medical conditions including MRSA sepsis, L2-3 epidural abscess/discitis, right elbow bursitis, right eye blindness, abscess pockets in the pelvis, cardiac problems, weakness and numbness of lower legs/right side of body, tumor of right chest/breast bone, and tumor of left buttock/tailbone. The Board also denied his claims for TDIU, SMP based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A), and SMP based on being housebound.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of PTSD, service connection for hypertension, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left shoulder and arm disorders, as well as right leg and hip disorders resulting from VA medical procedures, were all denied due to lack of evidence or failure to report for examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or depression to his service-connected conditions or to exposure to herbicides. As such, the claims for secondary service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, including the impact of recent lab results and whether an extra-schedular rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is likely to have had its onset during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a disease or injury of service origin. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the earlier effective date claim for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of prior decision before May 3, 1989.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the current appeal, including notification and development of evidence to address the appellant's claims for service connection for an ear disorder, high blood pressure, and vision impairment. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding no evidence of a causal relationship to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus requires twice daily insulin injections, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of complications. The hypertension claim was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control and has a systolic pressure of predominantly 160 or higher since April 2003, warrants a 10 percent rating.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The Board also found that the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction cannot be granted as his primary claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims for service connection and found that new evidence does not establish a direct relationship between his current conditions and military service. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and polymyositis are service-connected, with hypertension being granted based on in-service onset and current diagnosis. Polymyositis is also service-connected as it had its onset during service.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the discontinuation of blood thinners did not contribute to his death. The cause of death was a combination of factors including a methadone overdose.