Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from cardiopulmonary arrest. The claim for DIC was denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected condition contributing to his death. The accrued benefits and non-service-connected burial allowance claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claims. The decision also addressed other issues such as evaluations for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with duodenitis, esophagitis and GERD was granted. The effective date for the grant of this rating is not addressed as it pertains to an earlier effective date request which has been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial in 1990. However, the Board found that the Veteran's back and neck disorder is not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, claiming it as secondary to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and/or asbestosis. He also seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion credible and probative in concluding that the Veteran's current hypertension is unrelated to his diabetes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death and whether any other psychiatric disorder was related to service. The claim will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not incur these conditions during service or within one year following service, and thus could not be granted service connection. For his bilateral elbow condition, a new examination is needed to determine the current disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, major depression, bilateral foot disorder, headache disorder, and heart disorder (atriial fibrillation) have been granted. The bilateral foot disorder claim is denied as not being related to service. The headaches are considered a pre-existing condition that was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lapeer Regional Hospital on June 6, 2006 were reimbursed due to the emergent nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA care.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for neurosis is dismissed as moot due to his pre-existing condition being service-connected since 1943. The claim for hypertension is denied because there is no evidence linking the current diagnosis to service, and the long period between service and diagnosis weighs against a finding of service connection. Claims for arthritis and nervous system disorder are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from performing functions of self-care and may render him unable to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The examination is needed to determine if he requires assistance in bathing, tending to hygiene needs, and whether he is substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, polymyositis of the lower extremities, and hypertension are all granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension was not received, resulting in a denial of this claim. The claims for secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus (DM) and an enlarged heart were also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and skin rash were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension, right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, and right knee strain were all denied initial compensable ratings from August 24, 2001 to April 27, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot metatarsalgia with bursitis of the left heel, and his hypertension, were incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung and cardiovascular diseases were not incurred or aggravated by service, including as due to in-service asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against a nexus between current lung and cardiovascular disabilities and any incident of service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is not service-connected. Other significant conditions contributing to his death (atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic lung disease) are also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete service records and need to verify periods of active duty.