Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, as well as reopening of several previously denied claims. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism and hypertension are not granted. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims based on his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including an examination and a VCAA letter.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an employment handicap and was considered to be at the point of employability for an entry level position with his undergraduate degree. The veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated as 30 percent combined, but he was determined to have overcome his handicap through education.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, heart disorder (hypertension), and skeletal disorder. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and impotency are being remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of stressors and examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder related to service, and that hypertension was not shown in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that it was less likely than not that the diabetes aggravated the hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart disease, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, is not related to any events or illness during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for heart disease was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty and is unrelated to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5 mild anterior spondylosis as secondary to a coccyx injury. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% rating effective May 1, 2003. The claim for hypertension was reopened and service connection was established. A 70% rating for PTSD prior to August 13, 2004 is granted, but the request for an increased rating in excess of 70% after that date is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, or peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities that are attributable to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and assigned an initial 30 percent rating, effective September 9, 2003. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded to the RO.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his peripheral neuropathy and hypertension, with no direct connection.

The Board denied the veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic headache disorder and found that the veteran's current sinusitis/allergies, positive TB test, fibroadenoma of the left breast (claimed as breast biopsy), high blood pressure, and other conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for ankylosing spondylitis with complete fusion of both sacroiliac joints and found that the veteran's current aortic valve insufficiency with atrial fibrillation and hypertension is related to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis. The claim for service connection for aortic valve insufficiency has been granted.