Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, effective from August 23, 2007. The veteran's claim is denied prior to that date.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and hypertension, with a 10% evaluation effective July 12, 2006. The veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine due to painful motion and occasional flare-ups.

The veteran's multiple disabilities, including psychiatric disorders and physical conditions such as diabetes and arthritis, are found to be severe enough to render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and congestive cardiomyopathy, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year thereafter.,The Board also found that any current hypertension and congestive cardiomyopathy were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the conditions listed in her claims. The appeals are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for various conditions, including a head injury laceration scar, left ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, dehydration, hepatitis B exposure, heart condition, hypertension, chronic respiratory disorder, sinusitis, and post-operative deviated nasal septum.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected hepatitis C and other claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of representation, additional evidence collection, and a gynecological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a heart condition, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The veteran was not granted service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues related to PTSD, bilateral cataracts, rectal and colon polyps, GERD, burning of the feet, legs, and hips, and hypertension. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and anxiety and depression, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient efforts in investigating the veteran's stressor allegations and obtaining a VA examination regarding PTSD, chronic bronchitis, hypertension, and ED.

The veteran died from cardio-respiratory arrest due to bronchial asthma. The Board finds that the service-connected disability did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death, and thus denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed health problems were not incurred in or aggravated by service, including his participation in Project 112/SHAD.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings have been denied as the assigned ratings are already at their maximum under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected nummular dermatitis and hypertension do not warrant evaluations in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent ratings. The veteran's psychiatric disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected nummular dermatitis, is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

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