Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The appeal was remanded to the RO for additional development and a decision on the merits.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a cardiac disorder with hypertension that is attributable to his active military service or caused by his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability, and the right ear hearing loss is not compensable. The claims for service connection for thoracic spine disability and hypertension are remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of fractured ribs, left hip and right fifth finger disabilities, a peptic ulcer, hypertension, an upper respiratory infection, renal failure, hyperlipidemia and gastroenteritis were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic hypertension and a chronic back disorder, but granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the period prior to April 13, 2004, and a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability as of that date.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but restored a 30 percent rating for atopic dermatitis from September 1, 2006, to September 29, 2006. The reduction of the rating was ultimately upheld as of September 30, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and lumbar spondylosis as there was no evidence of these conditions during or shortly after the veteran's active service. The claim for vascular disease of the lower extremities is being remanded.

The Board granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. A remand is required to determine if the veteran was on active duty or active duty for training during a specific period and to obtain an examination regarding both hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for several issues, and the remaining claims were denied or dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, to include rheumatic heart disease, and found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for a left internal intracanalicular tumor mass as secondary to service-connected rheumatic fever, hypertension on a direct basis, and multiple joint pain.

The veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease were found to be incurred in service, with evidence of aggravation.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not related to his service and denied the claim.

The veteran's symptoms of fatigue, malaise, headaches and nausea, poor sleep, impaired concentration, tender lymph nodes, joint pain, and muscle pain are presumed to have been incurred during active military service due to chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a chronic infection of the ears, but denied service connection for dizziness, pulmonary disorder, low back disability, prostate disorder, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, increased rating for bilateral conjunctivitis, and compensable rating for bilateral pterygia.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for depressive disorder or hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as there was no evidence of the condition during service or within one year after discharge, and a medical opinion indicated that the veteran's current hypertension is not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied, as the evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss is related to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hypervigilance, flattened affect, depression, and social isolation, have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his service-connected disability renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for idiopathic thrombocytopenia, hypertension, psychiatric disability/PTSD, alcoholism, left ankle disability, headaches, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral leg disability as they were not related to the veteran's active duty service.