Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis and hypertension, as well as an increased rating for PTSD, were denied. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted but the RO did not provide a specific effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 25, 2003 for additional compensation benefits based on his dependent spouse and child. The effective date was set at March 25, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left ear hearing loss, hypertension, and right hip disability. The veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood was rated at 30 percent, effective from May 2005. TDIU was also denied.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for hypertension was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus restoration of service connection is warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left knee and ankle disorders, spondylosis (low back disorder), spondylolisthesis (low back disorder), post-operative right foot and right ankle condition with degenerative joint disease, hypertension, and bilateral tinea pedis. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing before a Member of the Board. The veteran and his representative will be notified of the time and date, and given adequate time to prepare.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma in service. The claims for PTSD and hypertension remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking his PTSD to any of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, primarily related to his right ankle disability. The issues of secondary service connection for psychiatric disabilities and hip disabilities are referred to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions had their onset during or were related to his active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current hypertension did not manifest during service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to its onset more than one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of sustained hypertension in service, and the condition first manifested post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability with high blood pressure is not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD and for degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that hypertension did not cause or substantially contribute to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus. The RO must verify any in-service stressors claimed by the veteran, conduct further unit research if possible, obtain VA examination reports addressing the nature and likely etiology of the claimed conditions, and ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension as secondary to his service-connected type-II diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no competent evidence indicating a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and eye disability are not service-connected, either directly or secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, as these were not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.