Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not causally related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder and a new rating for his hypertension. The issues of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are being remanded.,The veteran is seeking an increase in the evaluation for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, which currently results in a 70 percent disability rating effective from August 30, 2005. He also seeks service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as secondary to his PTSD and exposure to Agent Orange.,The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling since August 30, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and elevated cholesterol, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims. The claim for diabetes mellitus is also denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating for hypertension from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2005, was proper based on improved blood pressure readings.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in the left ear, residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.,There was no medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not start during his military service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and pancreatitis were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor could they be linked to herbicide exposure. The Board also determined that these conditions are not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues except the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for seborrheic keratosis of the face, arm, hands, and right ear.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected hypertension, finding that the objective medical evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD, found that his hypertension and anxiety claims were not timely filed, and determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his heart condition, anxiety, and hypertension claims.

The veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for renal failure, retinopathy, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability due to asbestos exposure and hypertension. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service, specifically noting that there was no diagnosed asbestos-related disease in service or subsequent to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides or other agents during service.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knee and hypertension conditions. The rating for post-operative residuals of a meniscectomy of the left knee is increased to 10 percent, and the rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee remains at noncompensable.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during his period of service or within one year thereafter, and thus denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of hypertension having its onset during active service, manifesting to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, or being related to active service. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, epistaxis or nosebleeds, skin disease (fungal infection of the feet), sleeplessness or restlessness, urinary tract infections, a temper condition, and joint pain of the shoulders, fingers, and knees. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain and review additional treatment records from Fort Harrison VAMC for the years 1985-1986. The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arthritis will be reconsidered.

The veteran is found to be unemployable due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, including hypertension, anxiety disorder, PTSD, arthritis, foot problems, learning disability, and migraine headaches. The Board finds that the combination of these conditions permanently precludes him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.