Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a perforated tympanic membrane of the left ear, service connection for right ulnar neuropathy and hypertension were not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, emphysema, and sarcoidosis are not service-connected due to Agent Orange exposure as these conditions do not fall under the list of diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The presumption of service connection for certain specific diseases associated with exposure to herbicides is not applicable in this case.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records from his treatment at the Greenville VAMC.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and scheduling of a hearing at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to a lack of legal merit or entitlement under the law, as no prior claims were received before May 26, 1999.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence, as the cause of death was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravates his hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arterial hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding no medical evidence linking the two conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was present prior to service and not aggravated by military service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension that he believes is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and VCAA notification issues.

The veteran's hypertension and cardiac disability were not found to be related to his military service or a period within one year of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left little finger disorder, hypertension, and a cervical spine disorder. The veteran's pre-existing left little finger disorder was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disorder in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, anemia, and osteoarthritis as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's Raynaud's disease and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in service, and denied both claims. The hypertension claim was also denied as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that the current disability rating of 20 percent adequately reflects his condition.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the threshold requirements for a grant of that benefit prior to July 27, 2005. The effective date assigned is July 27, 2005.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but denied an increased evaluation for the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board is remanding the case to clarify a December 2001 VA medical opinion regarding the veteran's hypertension and whether it was caused by service.