Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder, and there is no evidence of any chronic respiratory disorder in service. The low back disability was diagnosed as spinal bifida occulta at S1 during service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension cannot be established due to lack of medical records linking these conditions to service.

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

The Board finds that the veteran's cause of death is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of myocardial infarction, heart disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertension in service or within a presumptive period. The appellant's claim for secondary service connection based on PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence and inextricably intertwined issues. The veteran is required to undergo a VA psychiatric examination, and all outstanding records must be obtained.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and loss of vision, left eye, as secondary to hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board finds that the unauthorized medical services provided on December 24, 2003, constituted a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. Therefore, the criteria for payment or reimbursement are met.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral wrists, knees, and shoulders as well as hypertension. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,Regarding the veteran's claim to reopen his hearing loss claim, new and material evidence was found but service connection was still denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no medical evidence or opinion to support a finding that any current hypertension is related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen his previously-denied claims of service connection for left varicocele, arthritis of multiple joints (including back disability), and duodenal ulcer disease. The RO also denied service connection for a back disability other than arthritis and hypertension.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the knees and hypertension. The claim for hypertension was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension due to a lack of competent evidence demonstrating a current disability related to these conditions. The examiner found no diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-IV standards.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II and service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease have been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension with cardiomegaly did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied both his claims for increased ratings.

The veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied the claims for secondary service connection.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2002 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected eye disability (ocular hypertension). The RO determined there was no active pathology, thus assigning Diagnostic Code 6099-6013 instead of Diagnostic Code 6099-6005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, liver disease (including cirrhosis and hepatitis C), arteriosclerosis, and hypertension as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or association with these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete records and additional development is required.

The VA denied service connection for hypertension and right bundle branch block, both claimed as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA granted a 50% rating for PTSD.,The VA found that there was no evidence showing that the veteran's hypertension or RBBB were due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.