Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's back strain with mechanical low back pain is the result of a motor vehicle accident during active duty for training, and service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no competent medical evidence linking his fatal respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension or hemochromatosis to service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing hypertension was aggravated by his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the feet were denied. The claims for hypertension and pes planus are pending as they have been reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disability, finding that it was not incurred during his military service and is not related to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic hypertension, and a separate compensable evaluation for diabetic retinopathy. The evidence received since the December 2001 rating decision was found to be cumulative and did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected duodenal ulcer, which is more than the initially assigned 10 percent. The issue regarding hypertension remains unresolved as its connection to service is unclear.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and asbestosis. The claim for residuals of a stroke remains denied due to lack of in-service or post-service medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The veteran's diagnosed disabilities (hypertension and various skin disorders) do not permanently preclude him from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and work experience. The criteria for the award of a permanent and total disability rating for NSC pension benefits have not been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's essential hypertension and hypertensive cardiomyopathy secondary to hypertension were incurred in service due to his pre-existing labile hypertension disorder, which was aggravated during service.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include hypertension, is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for post-concussion syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression), asthma, hypertension, and skin cancer. The Board found that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's seizure disorder and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule a VA examination for both hypertension and diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and dismissed the appeal regarding residuals of a stroke, as the veteran withdrew his claim for this issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis and hypertension, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, and schizophrenia are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and no current disability. The conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches, claiming as migraine due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.