Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for diabetes mellitus associated with herbicide exposure and hypertension, as there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within a year of discharge, and no credible evidence linking them to service or a service-connected disability.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, specifically to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing or a Board hearing using videoconferencing techniques.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, peptic ulcer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident were not caused by any incident of service and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as it was not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person or substantially confined to his home, thus he is denied special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, necrotizing fasciitis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease as there is no competent medical evidence of a relationship between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria specified by law.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for ureterolithiasis, Asiatic flu, and a sinus condition as not being new and material evidence. The claim for a sinus condition was reopened but ultimately denied. Other claims were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a heart disorder, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge, and no competent medical evidence linking them to the Veteran's period of service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for hay fever, asthma, hypertension, and coronary artery disease as the conditions were not shown to have been aggravated by service or incurred in service. Social phobia was granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for hypertension was denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have developed as a result of herbicide exposure during service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD was granted, and the claim to reopen service connection for a low back disorder was denied. The claim for service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for right knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and hypertension is remanded to obtain additional evidence. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis with a history of sinusitis and migraine headaches are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea as they were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active service or his service-connected elevation of the left hemidiaphragm.

The Board granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, but denied service connection for hypertension, a skin disability, and malaria.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, which include peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, kidney disease and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The appeal was denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder.