Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition was not caused by his service or a service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that hypertension and Type II diabetes mellitus are not related to service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or PTSD in service.

The Veteran's DVT of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and this decision grants a 20 percent rating effective from the date of the claim.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to her mobility and independence.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the evidence does not support any other theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and its secondary effects on other conditions, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension with coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, are not etiologically related to his active service, and were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran was granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with noncompensable evaluations effective February 28, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and heart disease and his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a higher evaluation for lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's hypertension did not have onset during active service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to his service. For the lumbosacral strain, the Board found that the disability does not meet criteria for an increased rating as forward flexion was at least 40 degrees.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with the Court's June 2004 decision, which found that VA had failed to provide proper notice. Additional development is needed for compliance with VA's duty to assist and notify.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with representation, medical records, and stressor verification. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches, hypertension as secondary to migraine headaches, and sinus disorder as secondary to migraine headaches due to the lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease with stent angioplasty to right coronary artery was not manifested by a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope prior to October 15, 2007. As of October 15, 2007, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent.