Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and depression, finding that these conditions are not attributable to his active military service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and a cardiac disorder (coronary artery disease and tachycardia) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors related to PTSD, and that there was no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is now being remanded for further development.

The Veteran is essentially so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance by another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's dental disability is not a disorder for which service connection can be granted for compensation purposes. The claim for service connection for hypertension was remanded due to insufficient information on whether it is directly related to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a respiratory disorder or hypertension during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his service in Vietnam and Agent Orange exposure. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, any injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The causes of his death - respiratory arrest, brain cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension - were not linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have in-service exposure to herbicides and thus could not establish service connection for diabetes mellitus or hypertension on a presumptive basis. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since active service, leading to denial of both claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat experiences in Vietnam, and he engaged in a battle at Ia Drang Valley in October 1965.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to medical questions regarding whether the Veteran's esophageal cancer was so overwhelming that eventual death could have been anticipated, and if so, whether his hypertension affected a vital organ (to include his kidneys) and was of such severity as to have a material influence in accelerating his death.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with hypertension, cataracts and history of nonhemorrhagic stroke is granted. He also has a 20 percent evaluation for his diabetes. The Veteran does not have residuals from his traumatic brain injury or peripheral neuropathy that would warrant separate evaluations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension and residuals of a genitourinary infection. The claim for service connection for end-stage renal disease was not addressed as it is considered separately.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective December 23, 2003. His hypertension is rated at 10%. These ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diminished eyesight and hypertension were denied, while his claim for an increased evaluation for duodenal ulcer disease was granted. The denial of the service connection claims is based on a lack of evidence showing a direct or secondary relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, right wrist disability, and left ankle disability. The Board finds that the evidence supports a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an abnormal EKG and hypertension are denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions, as well as insufficient medical evidence linking any present disabilities to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has aggravated his hypertension, as this was not adequately addressed in the previous examination.