Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to service, and the current level of disability did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension with angina pectoris, migraines, and bilateral pes planus. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria for a higher 10 percent or 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased special monthly compensation were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum non-compensable rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is denied as the condition did not manifest in or was not related to his active duty. The special monthly pension based on aid and attendance of another person is also denied due to lack of need.

The Board found that the Veteran's loss of vision and hypertension were not incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to incomplete records from Lackland Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and hypertension were denied, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for right elbow disability. The Veteran was not granted TDIU due to the inextricably intertwined nature of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disease, kidney disorder, liver disorder and hepatitis B, low back disorder, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeals were all dismissed as new evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board denied all reopened service connection claims for hypertension, depression, sleep disorder, skin rash, throat infection, ear infection, and kidney stones as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 and left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension based on direct evidence of their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's asthma and hypertension were diagnosed during active duty service and are considered to have begun in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is unable to perform his occupation, and his employment handicap does not render him unsuitable for employment in a suitable field. Therefore, additional vocational rehabilitation services are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7101. The Veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation are not shown to warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with underlying failure to thrive and contributing conditions including pulmonary hypertension and atrial flutter. The Board finds no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities, thus denying the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right eye disorder, severe chronic back pain, severe chronic neck pain, or right knee disorder attributable to his military service. High cholesterol and hypertension were also found not to be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 50% disability rating, effective May 12, 2006. Service connection for PTSD is established and the effective date of service connection is set at May 12, 2006.