Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his partial lobectomy, right upper lobe scars from a bullet wound, and PTSD. The claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD was also denied. The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding an increased evaluation for right ulnar neuritis.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, status post acute sub-endocardial infarction is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The veteran seeks service connection for chronic hypertension, early stage kidney disorder, and early stage neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a new examination is needed to clarify the diagnoses and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired eye disorder, prostate cancer, low back disorder, and hypertension and cardiac disorders. The appeals are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is currently rated at 20 percent and requires oral hypoglycemic agents and a restricted diet. The RO has not assigned any rating for hypertension or large cell lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's type.,The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2, warrants a 20 percent evaluation as of July 24, 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of low back disorder, service connection for bilateral arthritis of the hands, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The claims for reopening service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of C5-C6 and right shoulder disorder were also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for both the PTSD and Hypertension claims, including verifying stressor events, obtaining treatment records, and scheduling VA examinations. The veteran's service connection claims are being remanded to allow for these developments.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and denied both claims due to lack of in-service diagnosis and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bipolar disorder, and thus grants service connection for hypertension. The claim for migraine headaches remains unresolved due to lack of probative medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VCAA notice and incomplete medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of chronic hypertension and coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure are not related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or causation.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hypertension and status post-right cerebrovascular accident were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the VA medical care did not result in additional disability or death. The claim for DIC based on 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Video Conference Hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest date possible.

The Board found no evidence of gout in service records and concluded that the veteran's current diagnosis of gout is not related to his military service. The veteran was also determined not to be housebound or in need of aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during active duty service or for many years thereafter, and has not been shown to be related to military service by competent medical evidence. As such, the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy and vascular problems and erectile dysfunction, all secondary to herbicide exposure. The veteran was not granted any of his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and pleurisy. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, while the claim for pleurisy remains closed as new and material evidence has not been submitted.