Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated in service and is unrelated to service.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and there is no evidence of negligence by VA in providing medical treatment for his heart condition.

The veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of his claims for hemorrhoids, arthritis of the right arm and right elbow, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension has been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baxter Regional Medical Center from June 12, 2003 to June 14, 2003 were granted as the VA facility was not feasibly available and an attempt to use them before hand would not have been considered reasonable by a prudent lay person.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, status post cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The decision also denies an increased rating for IVDS and a total rating by reason of individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's current hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and is not proximately due to or the result of any disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and requests for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if hypertension is secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and hepatitis C have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during his period of active service, continuity of symptomatology after such period, or medical evidence associating current diagnoses to service.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus due to service, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim is denied.

The veteran's claim for hypertension was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted based on a verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that hypertension was incurred or aggravated by active service, and there is no indication that it became manifest within one year after separation from service. For bilateral pes planus, the Board found that the veteran's current symptoms were related to his military service.

The Board granted an increased rating to 30% for the right knee disability and assigned an effective date of May 18, 2000. The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and thoracic spine disability due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left eye disability, hypertension, and a skin disorder of the feet. The conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance is granted due to his psychiatric disability, which requires the aid and assistance of his spouse in performing certain daily activities.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including his service medical records and clinical records from Tinker Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and PTSD due to incomplete records, including VA outpatient clinic records from before April 2001 and treatment records from Wilford Hall Medical Center. The RO/AMC is also required to obtain a clarifying medical opinion regarding whether the veteran currently suffers from PTSD as defined by DSM-IV.