Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and his hypertension remains at 10%. The Board found the evidence supported a 50% rating for PTSD but not a higher one.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a skin disability. The decision also addressed his claim of service connection for a bilateral foot condition which was granted in a separate rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a heart condition or hypertension, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for either condition. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hypertension was an underlying cause of his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran died from cardiopulmonary arrest, with chronic aspiration as the underlying cause. The right hip replacement surgery was found to be a contributory cause of his death and secondary to his service-connected left thigh shrapnel wound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, finding that his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), an acute skin rash, a perianal abscess, arthritis and swelling of the lower extremities, and arthritis of the back. The appeals were remanded due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions being related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking it to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease do not warrant increased ratings beyond their current assigned levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed period of service and obtain his service medical records.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and notification, as well as clarification of the Veteran's claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is not related to his service, and thus denies this claim. However, the Veteran's hypertension was first diagnosed during service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, hypertension, and vitreous detachment of the left eye, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for essential hypertension, chronic headaches, and fatigue as not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The Veteran's conditions were found to be less likely related to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral lower extremity varicosities with chronic venous insufficiency were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of chronicity after discharge. The claim for pulmonary hypertension is dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to medication he received for his exfoliate dermatitis during service and if it is secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and denied his requests for earlier effective dates. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with an effective date of October 17, 2000.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and a chronic sinus disorder have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence or opinion establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.