Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability, including hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorders, hypertension, and bilateral hip disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not due to his service-connected disabilities, but rather due to non-service-connected arthritis in the joints and muscle weakness from old age. Therefore, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease with hypertension, sleep apnea, and chest masses, status post mastectomy are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and brain aneurysm residuals were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his claims for service connection have not proceeded further.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding no evidence of onset or aggravation during active duty or ACDUTRA. Service connection was also denied for hypertension due to lack of a diagnosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and cerebrovascular accident are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her active duty service.

The Veteran's death was caused by drowning, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease have been evaluated at the maximum schedular ratings. The Board has determined that these conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his combined rating is 40 percent, which does not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's hypertension and skin disorder were both found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in service and is granted. His alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disability, skin rash, heart disease, and respiratory condition are all found to be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim of an earlier effective date for type II diabetes mellitus is denied. The claims to reopen his service connection for hypertension and pancreatitis are both found to have new and material evidence, but the effectiveness of reopening remains unclear due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board is reopening the claim for service connection for PTSD on the basis of new and material evidence. However, the claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, and a foot disability are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's Hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a noncompensable disability rating for cholecystectomy residuals, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and increased rating for cervical spine disability due to additional development being necessary.