Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except PTSD, which were dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Board found no evidence of a current heart disability related to service, including rheumatic fever and hypertension. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The remanded issue is compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for ototoxicity and vestibulopathy (claimed as imbalance in both ears due to medication taken for a condition of the blood).

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and anxiety to allow for a comprehensive examination and opinion regarding service connection, evaluation, and any secondary or aggravation issues.

The Board denied dependency and indemnity compensation benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hypertension or heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it secondary to his service-connected asbestosis. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, but denied the claims for a higher rating for diabetes and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder (asthma), hypertension, and stomach disorder were denied as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is rated at a 10% since April 26, 2007. Prior to that date, the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy and probable old myocardial infarction, depression with cognitive disorder associated with residuals of cerebrovascular accident, prostate cancer with impotence, dermatitis breast and arms, history of hepatitis, and residuals of cerebrovascular accident with right upper extremity hand weakness. The Veteran requires assistance in performing daily activities due to his disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of chronic heart disease or hypertension in service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for hypertension or hyperthyroidism due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The skin disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected hypertension did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was granted, and the effective date is set at May 27, 1997. The issue regarding a prior effective date remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his active military service and did not have a direct relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and to seek an opinion on whether any service-connected disability contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service or secondary to his already service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus. The exposure basis of herbicides is noted but no evidence was provided.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the back and neck, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The Appellant's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, lumbar region; osteoarthritis, feet and joints; cardiomyopathy and hypertension; and idiopathic angioedema. The evidence did not establish a relationship between these conditions and service.