Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected tension headaches, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a renal disorder secondary to hypertension, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found that hypertension was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and hypertension, both of which are not associated with herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne, and concluded that any skin conditions were unrelated to military service. For hypertension, there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the condition and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's DM aggravated his CAD.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including for a VA examination regarding his PTSD, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension.

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension was first received by VA on April 28, 2005. The effective date of the grant of service connection is denied as it does not meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the appellant meets the criteria for special monthly death pension based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A), and providing proper VCAA notice regarding her income limitations.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 20 percent, and his status post coronary bypass graft is not rated higher than 60 percent.,For dermatophytosis and dyshidrosis, the veteran was granted a noncompensable rating prior to January 28, 2002. From that date until August 27, 2002, he received a 10 percent rating. After that period, his condition did not warrant any compensation.

The veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not presumed to have been incurred due to a disease or injury in service. Service connection for hypertension is therefore denied.,Service connection for the veteran's skin disability has been granted at a 60% rating effective from August 30, 2002 through April 20, 2004.

The Board has denied service connection for depression as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service disease. Service connection for hypertension was granted based on direct service connection.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for hypertension is denied as there was no legal entitlement to such a date.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension was neither incurred during her active duty for training nor did it increase in severity beyond normal progression during any period of active duty for training. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, hammertoes of both feet, and post-operative residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy do not warrant increased ratings beyond the current 10 percent levels.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee disability due to lack of current clinical evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of new evidence, including a private opinion linking his hypertension to his service-connected heart disease, sleep apnea, and bronchial asthma.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.