Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects, including coronary artery disease with hypertension, myocardial infarction residuals, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals. The decision also grants secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, asthma, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim of reopening the emphysema with bronchitis was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary embolism as secondary to PTSD. However, the evidence does not support a finding of primary pulmonary hypertension or chronic pulmonary embolism.

The Board denied all claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a link between the claimed conditions and military service, or as undiagnosed illnesses related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic hypertension is etiologically related to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD can be related to service. The secondary hypertension claim will also be addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The veteran's hypertension is found at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for medical records from Puerto Rico and New York National Guard service. The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, foraminal stenosis of the cervical spine, and deviated septum. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, headaches, residuals of a head injury, genitourinary condition, and left ankle condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, left kidney condition, thyroid condition including cyst, and asthma were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and further examination is needed for both left ear hearing loss and hypertension.

The veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses of arthritis in either knee or foot. The claimed degenerative joint disease was first diagnosed many years after separation from service.,Hypertension was also first diagnosed many years after separation from service and is not related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his right hand disability and hypertension. The veteran is not entitled to a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected disability. His current rating for the loss of use of the right hand and post-operative residuals of an amputation of the right lower extremity below the knee remains at 100%. The need for regular aid and attendance claim is denied.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension are all rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are not in excess of what is warranted under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's hypertension and left Achilles tendonitis were not incurred in service, but the Board granted service connection for left Achilles tendonitis due to on-going symptoms since his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not blind in both eyes, does not require nursing home care due to mental or physical incapacity, and her disabilities do not necessitate regular aid and attendance of another person on a regular basis. The appellant's conditions are deemed insufficient for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, to include hypertension, was not caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected residuals of subluxation of the right temporomandibular joint. The veteran's cardiovascular disease did not result from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar incidence of fault on the part of the VA.