Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and therefore granted as secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed coronary artery disease and hypertension are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that an effective date of June 28, 1993 is granted for the grant of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal acute stroke due to atherosclerotic vascular disease was not caused by or made worse by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for anxiety disorder and hypertension, as well as the claims to reopen those claims. The veteran's mental health issues were not shown during or within one year after his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a respiratory examination. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hypothyroidism due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for hypertension and service connection for atrial fibrillation are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected hypertension and any current atrial fibrillation.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear relationship between hypertension and diabetes mellitus, procedural issues related to secondary service connection regulations, and incomplete medical records. Further examination is required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death based on new evidence provided by Dr. R.F.S., which suggests that the veteran may have received treatment for cardiovascular conditions during his period of active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed hypertension, dizziness, weakness, chest pains, dehydration, and heart disorder were not caused by VA medical care or treatment in September 1999 which discontinued Sinemet prescribed for Parkinson's disease. The proximate cause of these conditions was deemed to be unrelated to VA care.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His hypertension was not rated higher than 10 percent, his scar on the left leg did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, and he failed to establish service connection for tinnitus.

The VA denied a compensable initial evaluation for hypertension as the medical evidence did not show predominantly high blood pressure readings.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a shrapnel wound to his right hand, and hypertension. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for PTSD, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The PTSD claim was also denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred during service and could not be presumed due to exposure. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes and grants service connection for this condition.