Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disability, left hip trochanteric bursitis, bilateral heel spurs, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, Type II, or sleep apnea. As a result, these claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of either lower extremity and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus (Type II) will be addressed in a separate remand.

The veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus granting the claims for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and nephropathy due to incomplete notice, lack of a nexus opinion, and need for further examination.

The veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development and examination.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The diagnoses of these conditions predated the onset of his diabetes, and there was no evidence to support a secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of hypertension and service connection for retinopathy and kidney disorder as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for the veteran's hypertension disability from February 20, 1998 to October 18, 2001. The claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis and right knee disability were denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with mild hypertension, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's lumbar laminectomy at L1-L2, L2-L3, L4-L5 level; degenerative joint disease; low back strain is rated as 40 percent disabling from July 1, 2002. The other conditions are not entitled to increased ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection. However, he was eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and denying service connection for hypertension as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the issues of TDIU and service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to service-connected hypertension are inextricably intertwined, and thus the case is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetic neuropathy with hypertension does not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as it only meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7541.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and residuals of an injury to his left eye or other pathology of the left eye, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of current evidence meeting VA compensation criteria. The claims for increased evaluations for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are also remanded.

The veteran's heart disorder, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease, is being reviewed for secondary service connection to his nicotine dependence and COPD. The examiner will determine if these conditions are proximately caused or aggravated by the service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to any service-connected conditions. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is service connected due to its onset within one year of his discharge from service. However, the Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as there was no medical evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and non-service connected pension have been remanded due to scheduling issues.