Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) secondary to hypertension, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and coronary artery disease with hypertension and angina to allow for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.,The TDIU rating was dismissed as the 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD precludes assignment of a TDIU.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also concluded that hypertension is not proximately due to service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected depression and anxiety, warranting service connection. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for residuals of a head injury (with headaches and dizziness) and degenerative disc disease are granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is denied. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection, and there is no competent medical evidence linking his current heart condition to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, gout/arthritis of the hands and knees, atrial fibrillation with hypertension, a fungus in the groin area, and loss of the tip of the left index finger. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for prostate cancer.

The veteran's service records show diagnoses of mild stress reactions in her right ankle and both knees during active duty. However, she does not have current diagnoses or treatment for hypertension, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, a right ankle disorder, or a bilateral knee disorder. Service connection is denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder as secondary to service-connected seizure disorder, but denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hypertension did not cause or contribute to his death, and there is no evidence linking other causes of death (such as obesity, sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease) to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 100 percent for the veteran's service-connected asbestosis (right pleural calcifications) due to significant pulmonary impairment and the need for outpatient oxygen therapy.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected hypertension disability is rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations and denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist, and will seek additional medical records from various sources.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on the service connection claims for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus of the right ear, arthritis secondary to diabetes mellitus, and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and dismissed the appeal regarding the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, characterized as coronary artery disease with hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, due to a recent amendment in VA regulations regarding secondary service connection, the case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of whether the veteran's coronary artery disease may have aggravated his hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, urinary frequency, and sexual dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, all of which were deemed not related to the veteran's active duty service.