Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the September 1993 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease with hypertension.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for essential hypertension and residuals of a left wrist fracture, finding that his conditions do not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need for further examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and assigned a noncompensable rating, effective May 8, 1995. The veteran's hypertension and heart disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, which was present during service and contributed to his stroke, caused or materially contributed to his death. As a result, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of hypertension and its onset in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by, a service-connected disease or injury. The claim for service connection for hypertension is therefore denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, did not have its onset during active military duty and is therefore denied service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, low back pain, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.,There is no evidence linking any of these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, congenital ventricular septal defect (claimed as a 'heart murmur'), coronary artery disease, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence was against his claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any identified disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the veteran is capable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and review of new evidence, as requested by the veteran. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The veteran's claims of secondary service connection for various conditions, including circulatory disorder, glaucoma, hypertension, kidney disease, interventricular bleeding, residuals of a stroke, and seizure disorder are being granted as they are presumed to be related to his diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure during the Vietnam War.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during his active duty and was more likely a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's essential hypertension is granted service connection as it is a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Hyperlipidemia is denied as there is no evidence of a disease, injury or disability for which service connection might be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities as a result of service or service-connected conditions, and therefore denied all claims.