Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's heart disorder, hypertension, and GERD are all rated at the minimum level of disability. The Veteran is granted initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension is not due to Agent Orange exposure or other disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by service; nor can it be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also concluded that there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's hypertension and his PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a right knee disorder, as well as an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease (DJD). The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied on the merits, and his requests for increased ratings and TDIU were also denied. The case is remanded to issue a SOC regarding the claim of entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, schedule a Travel Board hearing at the RO, and otherwise complete the development requested in the November 2007 remand.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's combat experiences in Vietnam. For his hypertension claim, a VA examination is needed to determine if he has diabetic nephropathy and whether it is at least as likely as not that his hypertension is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected as a result of his alcohol abuse, which was a manifestation of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service or any of his service-connected conditions, including hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claims for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, heart disorder, kidney disorder, vision disorder, back disorder, right leg disorder, and pes planus. The evidence submitted since the July 2002 final rating decision did not provide new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea as secondary to sinusitis. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The case is being remanded for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's right index finger fracture, hypertension, and arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, rectal abscess, retinopathy, and renal insufficiency, was not incurred or aggravated by service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death. The causes of death were attributed to pneumonia, severe obstructive lung disease, bacteremia, and pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cerebrovascular accident due to congestive heart failure, quadriplegia and cervical spinal stenosis. The Board found that neither his service-connected lumbar spine disorder nor right nephrectomy contributed to his death.

The rating decisions of June and September 1999, denying service connection for hypertension, are final. New and material evidence has not been received with which to reopen that previously denied claim.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his in-service diagnosis and treatment. Service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and vision problems are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.