Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's death was caused by an acute stroke, but there is no evidence linking any of the underlying conditions (diabetes, hypertension, and major depression) to his military service. The Board found that service connection for the cause of death is not warranted.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on a need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart disease with coronary artery disease and moderate to severe heart failure. He also qualifies for housebound benefits as he is over 65 years old and has multiple service-connected conditions that independently rate at or above 60 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, renal disability, and upper and lower extremity disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and PTSD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a left leg disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pacemaker implant, and hypertension. The evidence did not show current disabilities meeting VA compensation criteria for hearing loss or meet the one-year presumptive period for cardiovascular-renal disease including hypertension. Service connection was also not established on a secondary basis as there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to his service-connected right hand amputation and right eye blindness.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice regarding new and material evidence requirements.

The Veteran's left knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The combined disability of the right and left shoulders warrants a 10 percent rating as separate disabilities are not more than zero percent.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) does not warrant an initial compensable rating. Hypertension also does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there was no prior claim or evidence of entitlement to these benefits before the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to service connection for residuals of cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), hypertension, coronary artery disease, disability exhibited by high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, and bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions did not manifest during active service or within one year of service, and are not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which may be related to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and residuals of a stroke are as likely as not related to his military service, while his acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is not shown to be related to service. The RO's August 1991 rating decision denying service connection for ulcer disease, an eye disorder, and hearing loss is final.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

Service connection was granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD symptoms. A 50 percent initial disability evaluation was assigned, effective January 29, 2004.,Hypertension and memory loss were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that there is a need for further development of the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and hypertension.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for any of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are denied.