Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for prostate cancer was also denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for hypertension remains before the Board. The RO is directed to obtain VA medical records since May 2005, provide notice of what information or evidence is needed to substantiate his claim, schedule him for a VA examination to determine the extent and severity of his service-connected hypertension, and issue a supplemental statement of the case if the decision remains adverse.

The veteran's claim for eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment services, specifically, lapidary equipment through independent living services was denied as the achievement of a vocational goal is not currently feasible.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including a kidney disorder.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the September 2002 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death.

The Board finds that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent due to its current manifestations, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current hypertension and left knee disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied both claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service medical records. The RO will attempt to verify any in-service injuries through personnel files and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice and obtain necessary medical records. The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is pending.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination and development of evidence related to service connection for hypertension and coronary heart disease.

The Board has ordered the case remanded due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and for consideration of a new argument regarding aggravation by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, heart disease and hypertension, and multiple joint disabilities including a bilateral knee disability, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and related cardiovascular disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including peptic ulcer disease, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, blisters and hives, upper and lower back problems, and breathing problems (COPD and sleep apnea), are not related to his active service or exposure to mustard gas. As such, these claims have been denied.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, hypertension at noncompensable, and bilateral hearing loss at noncompensable. The initial evaluations for all conditions are granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, dizziness and fainting spells, pain in joints, leg cramps, anxiety and stress, and shortness of breath, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The decision is based on a finding that the current diagnoses are not related to service.