Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, multiple joints and hypertension were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between the conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a heat stroke and cardiovascular disease, to include hypertension. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was granted a 20% evaluation, effective from July 28, 2004. His mood disorder/depression associated with hepatitis C with cirrhosis received an initial 50% evaluation from July 28, 2004 to August 24, 2005 and remains at 50%. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension claims are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required, including obtaining service treatment records and personnel records for periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran's claims will be remanded to consider all new evidence received.

The veteran's service connection for postoperative left shoulder bursitis and tendinopathy was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation initially assigned in October 2007. The evaluation was increased to 20 percent effective February 22, 2007.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 50 percent for sleep apnea, effective as of the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an abdominal disability due to trauma, to include muscle damage and damage to the reproductive system. The Veteran's claim is being remanded as there were issues with VCAA compliance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an autoimmune disease and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to PTSD, have been reopened. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which was previously denied in May 1998. The Veteran's history of cardiovascular issues dates back to his military service, including a diagnosis of arteriosclerotic peripheral vascular disease with aortoiliac stenosis and bilateral lower extremities claudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension originated during his active duty service in August 1974, and granted service connection for this condition. The Court affirmed this decision but set aside the finding regarding the pre-existence of the bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current posttraumatic stress disorder or hypertension related to the Veteran's period of active military service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The VA denied a compensable initial evaluation for hypertension from August 4, 1992 to December 2, 1998 and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension from December 3, 1998 to the present.,The VA granted a noncompensable evaluation for esophageal reflux and dysmotility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's confirmed exposure to Venezuelan equine and tularemia during service materially contributed to his death, resulting in gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to massive intracerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for hypertension with headaches, fatigue, and dizziness is being remanded due to the need for additional VA records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found insufficient evidence to grant the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction or loss of use of a creative organ, and PTSD as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection for left eye condition was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death or contribute substantially to it. The cause of death, asphyxia due to drowning, was unrelated to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right index finger condition and denied service connection for his left thumb condition. The claim for hypertension is remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension was denied, and his initial rating for a scar behind the right ear status post cyst excision is currently at 10 percent. The Veteran's increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss after December 7, 2004 remains pending.