Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, degenerative arthritis of the lower extremities, and a low back disorder were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen them. The claim for residuals of surgery to correct a left eye cataract was also denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current disability to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The evidence does not support a finding that his hypertension is related to his service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to have caused or aggravated his fatal heart disease, and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disorder claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange. However, it has denied service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as there was no medical evidence linking it to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or his military service.

The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted based on the veteran's prolonged exposure to communications equipment noise during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and residuals of frostbite of the feet have been reopened, but further development is needed to address the underlying merits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the one-year presumptive period, and no competent medical evidence linking his current hypertension to active duty.

The veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for coronary artery disease, chronic hypertension, a bilateral foot disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, finding that the current ratings were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gout and hypertension as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, nor a medical nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disability did not cause or contribute to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings during the relevant periods.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension were remanded for a videoconference hearing.

The veteran's anxiety disorder with headaches was granted a 30 percent evaluation, while his hypertension did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, bleeding ulcer, and anemia as the conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The veteran's asbestosis was rated at 100 percent, and service connection for a heart disorder/hypertension was denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hepatitis B as new and material evidence was not submitted. For hypertension, it was determined that the veteran's condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, nor is it proximately due to or the result of the service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.