Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claimed conditions of left nephrectomy and hypertension are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his military service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder preexisted military service and did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection on this basis is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The appellant's hypertension is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's multiple joint arthritis, excluding a back disorder, hearing loss, eye disorder, heart disorder (including hypertension), and testicular disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic headaches, hypertension, or a dental disorder. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Board will now consider whether service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's FSG with hypertension is rated at 60 percent effective February 24, 2006.,Prior to April 14, 2005, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for her chronic allergic rhinitis. Beginning April 14, 2005, she is rated at 30 percent for sinusitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not contribute to his cause of death, which was due to acute aspiration and end stage renal disease. The Board concluded that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's PTSD to his kidney failure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder and hypertension, were denied. Service connection was granted for residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities does not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU, as his PTSD and diabetes mellitus alone do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with postoperative status two vessel coronary artery bypass graft (coronary artery disability), partial lung removal, transmetatarsal amputation of the left foot, hypertension, and eye disease as there is no evidence that these conditions had onset during active service or are otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, but do not meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for an award of aid and attendance, as she is able to dress, undress, keep herself clean and presentable, feed herself, attend to her wants of nature, and perform activities of daily living by herself. She lives alone and requires no regular care or assistance against dangers in her daily environment.

The VA denied an evaluation greater than 10 percent for hypertension, as the appellant's diastolic pressure readings were predominantly 110 and not consistently at or above 110.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, was reopened. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the current diagnosis and service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50%.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.