Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by active service, and his current bilateral hearing loss is service-connected. The claim for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no medical evidence showing a direct link between the two conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hypertension, finding that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 due to his service in the Persian Gulf War, and that his hypertension may be presumed as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317. The Board also found that there was no direct or secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and a heart disorder, including HTN. The evidence did not show that the current conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement for allergic rhinitis was January 18, 2005, and for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of a creative organ was February 22, 2005.,The veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anxiety, and initial compensable evaluation for hypertension were not addressed as they are separate issues from the service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for keratitis, cataracts, and hypertension retinopathy as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for hypertension and heart disability as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active duty.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is final as the veteran did not appeal within one year of the denial.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has restored the veteran's 10 percent rating for hypertension, finding that the reduction to a noncompensable evaluation was not warranted by a preponderance of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss or tinnitus disability for which service connection may be granted. Additionally, there is no evidence of hypertension in service and it was not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for recognition as a former prisoner of war, entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection, and entitlement to higher initial ratings. The appeal regarding PTSD was referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The claim will next be addressed by the Board on a de novo basis, which results in the grant of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative status, aortic valvular disease resulting from coarctation of the aorta and hypertension, congenital. The other claims are denied.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and did not reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's hypertension, leg cramps, joint pain of shoulders and arms, and generalized body pain and weakness are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia/hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracic and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD).

The Board found that the appellant's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during her active duty for training service and denied all claims of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthmatic bronchitis and entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP) on account of being in need of aid and attendance (A&A). The Board found that there was no evidence linking the claimed conditions to active duty, and thus denied both claims.