Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, fatigue, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, a joint disability, and nerve damage. The veteran does not have current diagnoses or competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for migraine headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hypertension have been dismissed as the veteran has withdrawn her appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a failure to schedule his requested travel Board hearing. His hypertension and right ring finger limitation of motion claims are still pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension and gout were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the relationship between the appellant's claimed conditions and his periods of active duty for training.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not directly related to his period of active duty and concluded that it is not service-connected. The examiner opined that the hypertension is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease has undergone a chronic increase in severity as a result of his service-connected diabetes, and thus grants service connection for aggravation of heart disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain all relevant medical records and ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from April 1, 2004 to April 6, 2004 was denied as he did not meet the statutory requirements for payment under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorders, to include hypertension, were not incurred in or aggravated by military service and are not related to his first period of active duty. The Board also determined that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the veteran's cardiovascular disorders pre-existed his second and/or third periods of active duty and were not aggravated thereby. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection are being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the veteran's service and stressors, as well as VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for bilateral defective hearing, lung disorder (claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange), hypertension, and heart disease due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer disease did not substantially or materially contribute to cause his death, and thus denied the claim for DIC benefits.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's current hypertension had its onset during service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the results of this examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as he cannot perform many daily functions unassisted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain/sprain is service connected, but his hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.