Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran withdrew the issues of entitlement to service connection for pleural effusion, sleep apnea, hypertension; and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right elbow status post fracture before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for renal failure, heart disease, prostate cancer, removal of the gallbladder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin cancer, and residuals of head trauma. The evidence does not establish herbicide exposure during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is etiologically related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service or caused by his service-connected hypertension. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking information from SSA. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's hypertension and valvular heart disease with coronary artery disease have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the initial rating for valvular heart disease being granted at 30 percent prior to February 11, 2008, and increased to 60 percent thereafter.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain private medical records from Dr. Julie Ferguson, as she is currently treating the Veteran for his hypertension.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as whether long-term NSAID use caused or aggravated these conditions. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and psychiatric disability are being remanded for further development as the May 2010 VA examination is inadequate.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in PTSD and right shoulder disability, leaving only the hypertension rating issue to be decided.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 10 percent, but his peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities are both rated at 40 percent.,Arterial hypertension was found to be aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain is shown to have been manifested by arthritic changes with limited motion due to pain, warranting a 10 percent rating for the initial portion of the period of appeal. The issue of an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right shoulder disability remains pending.

The Board found no service connection for hypertension, low back disorder, or right knee disorder due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service separation and insufficient evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on current medical evidence. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran died of natural causes with other significant conditions contributing to death but not related to the cause of death. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any disability was service-connected or caused his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right knee disability, left trigger thumb, and nose bleeds is withdrawn. For sinusitis with rhinitis, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 24, 2009, and 30 percent from that date, has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the maximum 100 percent since June 19, 2006. His other claims are denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including scleroderma of the back or 'dry skin', hypertension, arthritis of the joints, and a bilateral foot disorder. The issues involving PTSD reopening, diabetes mellitus effective dates, and anatomical loss of both feet were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, cerebral vascular accident, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this claim as he is no longer alive.