Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate her claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, which had its onset during service or within one year of service, is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, chest pain, or heart condition related to his military service or service-connected sarcoidosis. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim for service connection for a disability due to chemical fume exposure. The remaining issues, including hypertension and coronary artery disease, will be remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and residuals of open heart surgery. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the appellant's atrial fibrillation had its inception during active service and is granted service connection for this condition. The hypertension claim remains pending as it does not involve a service connection issue.

The Board found that the service member's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied claims for cause of death benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the service member's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by service-connected conditions, specifically congestive heart failure and arteriosclerosis. The presumption of service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease and hypertensive vascular disease due to the Veteran's status as a former POW is applied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected peripheral vascular disease. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating of 20 percent for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, with moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and irregular heart beats are not related to his active service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The claim for a stomach disability is pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to provide this necessary information.

The Veteran is service connected for chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. His disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of one lower extremity (left foot) and balance issues due to dizziness, which preclude locomotion without a wheelchair. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension and headaches, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board found that the reduction in the Veteran's disability rating for service-connected coronary artery disease, with hypertension, from 100% to 60% was proper based on improvement shown in his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional private treatment records from Dr. V.S.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 1, 2004. The claim for an increased evaluation has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was first manifested during his service and is therefore granted service connection.