Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left knee disorder and hypertension has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected bronchitis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus, hypertension, or a renal disability that is attributable to his active military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, and a disability manifested by shortness of breath, tingles all over, and bitemporal head pain. The Board found no current diagnosis other than anxiety neurosis that attributes these symptoms to any condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor could it be presumed due to a disease or injury during service. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of aggravation of a nonservice-connected condition (hypertension) by a service-connected condition (diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is a result of active military service, and hypertension was initially demonstrated during qualifying service. The claim for service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and left ring finger disability have been rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that these ratings are not higher than what is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of peripheral neuropathy. The psychiatric disorder claim has been reopened due to new evidence relating it to a service-connected condition (diabetes mellitus). Service connection is also established for coronary artery disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Increased ratings are granted for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to his incarceration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for her service-connected conditions or establish service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected and granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD, right shoulder disability, and brachial plexus injury remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these disorders and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for payment of DIC benefits at the full-dollar rate before January 1, 2004 and for transfer of her claim file from Manila to Waco. The decision found that she was not entitled to these benefits based on her residency in the United States or because of her service as a New Philippine Scout.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's hypertension has been aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including adjudicating the claim on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's testimony in February 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board found that the Veteran's combined rating of 60 percent for his service-connected conditions does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and rating of conditions allegedly secondary to exposure to warfare chemicals, as well as reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension at 10 percent compensation has been granted. However, the Veteran is seeking a higher rating and his current condition needs to be evaluated by VA medical professionals.