Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disability, and he did not meet the eligibility criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new evidence linking it to his service-connected PTSD. The claim of arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied as there is no diagnosis of this condition in the record. The initial disability ratings for residuals of a stroke involving left lower and upper extremities are also denied.

The Board has determined that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, is related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for cardiovascular disease is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, which he claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding that the hypertension is related to or caused by his service-connected diabetes.

The veteran's PTSD is granted and rated at 70 percent since April 21, 2006. Service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, seborrheic dermatitis, and anxiety (secondary to PTSD) are denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hepatitis B and C, hypertension, and a low back disability due to lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence linking current conditions to service. The claim seeking lung disability reopening was also denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be unable to care for himself and perform tasks incident to daily living, nor does he require the regular aid and attendance of another person or qualify as housebound. Therefore, his claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no competent medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension existed prior to his entry into active service and did not permanently increase in severity during his period of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including hip and leg pain, hypertension, gallbladder disorder, and thoracic spine disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to mustard gas during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and asthma, finding that there was no showing of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more to warrant a higher evaluation. The appeal regarding the asthma claim was dismissed due to untimely filing of a substantive appeal.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was rated at 60% from August 5, 2003 onwards, reflecting a significant improvement in his condition as evidenced by normal EKG results and an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 48-61%. The peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus were also granted ratings.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD due to a lack of VA examination. The veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension. The veteran's claim for chloracne as due to herbicide exposure was not reopened.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hypertension and heart disease prior to the Board's decision. The issue of an initial compensable rating for pleural plaques and calcified asbestosis node is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with dilated congestive cardiomyopathy and hypertension, was not caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD. The claim is denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal on several issues related to disability ratings for different conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. His case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her service connection claims, including obtaining her service medical records and any pertinent evidence from the Social Security Administration.

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are service-connected.