Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied as there is no competent diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor.,The Veteran's neurological disability (migraines, whiteouts, or TIAs) and hypertension were not related to active service and were not caused or aggravated by his claimed PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The Board also found that there is insufficient medical evidence to link these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran a 10 percent evaluation for schizoaffective disorder and found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including his right wrist and ulnar nerve disabilities. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and a cardiac condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional verification of the appellant's National Guard service and for obtaining relevant medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records. The case will be returned for further consideration.

The Veteran received emergency medical care at a private hospital from June 27, 2008 to July 1, 2008. The condition was stable enough for transfer to the VA medical system on July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of service connection and increased evaluations related to hiatal hernia, dental condition, hypertension, heart murmur, low back injury, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral pes planus, left knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease, and right knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is associated with his diabetes and hypertension, warranting a separate rating. A compensable initial rating of 10% was assigned for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, and jungle rot of the feet (claimed as fungus) have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical opinions on causation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic nephropathy with aggravated essential hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia and hypertension were denied as they are not related to her active duty service. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further development of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, arthritis, and lupus, were denied as secondary to his service-connected Raynaud's disease. The Board found no evidence of herbicide or ionizing radiation exposure during service, nor did the medical evidence support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not present during service and is not shown to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that there is no objective data in the medical literature to support a claim that hypertension is caused by or aggravated by PTSD.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and hypertension, finding no evidence to support these claims. The claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD was also denied.