Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, renal disease with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and hypertension, and sexual dysfunction were granted effective May 8, 2001. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.,The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were granted effective May 8, 2001. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.,The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for renal disease with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and hypertension, and sexual dysfunction were granted effective May 8, 2001. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.,The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for sexual dysfunction were granted effective May 8, 2001. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the feet and hands, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were not incurred or related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection based on new evidence. The effective date of any benefits was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him incapable of attending to his daily needs without the regular assistance of another person, and he is therefore denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with atrial valve replacement and hypertension has been granted a 60 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the appealed rating decision in May 1996.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and glaucoma, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's death was not caused by negligence or other fault on the part of VA, and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension was denied by the Board, as his diastolic blood pressure did not predominantly reach 120 or more.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current diagnosed disabilities for which service connection may be granted.,All of the issues raised by the veteran were denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for an examination addressing whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arthritis of the right wrist as secondary to his service-connected conditions, and also denied an increased rating for his right wrist scar.,The VA examinations did not find any evidence supporting a link between the veteran's current conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to a lack of credible evidence supporting his claimed stressors during active duty.

The veteran's recurrent boils in the rear of the neck are found to be due to treatment for the same condition during service while serving in Vietnam. The arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, heart murmur, and hypertension are not considered service-connected.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, and no higher initial ratings are warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to its manifestation within one year following the veteran's period of active service. The claim of service connection for residuals of a stroke is remanded as it requires further medical opinion regarding the etiology of the stroke.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including high blood pressure, back disorder, left leg pain (other than peripheral neuropathy related to diabetes mellitus type II), depression, hyperglycemia, bilateral knee disorders, right hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection in these cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cardiovascular disease as secondary to his service-connected nicotine dependence and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The evidence did not show that the veteran had any cardiovascular disease during service or within one year after separation, nor was there any relationship between his current cardiovascular disease and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating, and his hypertension warrants a separate 10 percent rating.