Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether he desires a hearing on the issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for ulcers and the claim of cardiovascular disorder (including hypertension) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for hypertension and allergic rhinitis have been increased to 10 percent effective May 1, 2004. The Board has remanded the issue of higher initial evaluations for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but his hypertension is denied as secondary to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension began in service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between these conditions and his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw her appeal.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty service or within one year of separation. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim for chronic psychiatric disability (claimed as schizophrenia).

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the June 4, 1985 rating decision did not contain CUE in assigning an initial noncompensable disability rating for residuals of a left tibial fracture with osteoarthritic changes and chronic chondromalacia of the knee. The denial was based on the evidence showing no functional limitations.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a low back disability or hypertension that was incurred in service, and thus denied his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of status post left knee meniscectomy was granted, with a final rating of 20 percent. The issue of reopening service connection for hypertension was denied as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The initial rating for postsurgical scar of the left knee remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral inguinal hernias, hypertension, a visual disability (refractive error), and hand tremors of the hands.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, a respiratory system disability, and hypertension. The appellant's dishonorable discharge barred him from VA compensation benefits related to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of issues related to service connection for a right knee disability, residuals of a chest injury, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder with an anxiety component, which is considered to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety. The claim for hypertension will now be reconsidered under the theory of secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension or stroke during service or within one year post-service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to link current conditions to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.