Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for nonocclusive coronary artery disease, essential hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy as they were not related to the Veteran's active service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as there was no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment during service, and no competent evidence linking the current condition to any incident of service.

The appeals for initial compensable ratings and effective dates were withdrawn, leaving the TDIU claim as the only issue. The Veteran was granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD on April 3, 2008, making the TDIU claim moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence showing that his service-connected diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including providing additional notice and obtaining outstanding service records.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to the service-connected PTSD, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling, effective August 18, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, except for erectile dysfunction which was granted a 20 percent rating. Service connection for PTSD was also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for Hepatitis C, hypertension, osteoarthritis of the lower extremities, a lung disorder to include asbestosis, and a vision disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unemployable.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was denied as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for additional death pension benefits based on a need for aid and attendance, as the evidence did not show that she was in need of regular aid and attendance prior to July 22, 2002.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (to include congestive heart failure) were all granted service connection.

The appeal is remanded for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or caused by a service-connected disability.

The appeal was remanded to obtain a medical opinion on the likelihood that the Veteran's hypertension is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and related conditions due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's ocular hypertension is granted service connection as it had its onset during active military service.

The Veteran's service connection for migraine headaches was granted, while the evaluations of hypertension, allergic rhinitis, and reflux esophagitis were denied.