Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for various other conditions, finding no current diagnoses of these disorders in the record. The appeals to reopen claims for hypertension, joint disease, back disorder, knee disorders, gout, left thumb disability, left leg disorder, and skin disorder were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of October 3, 1997 for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and skin disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to be related to service. The claims for these disabilities are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for a seizure disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss. The RO assigned noncompensable initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, headaches, and a low back disorder, all claimed as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The appeals were based on presumptive service connection.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied. As service connection for PTSD has been denied, service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD is also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation have been denied. The left shoulder disorder claim has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection. Hypertension is not related to service, and there is no evidence that it was caused by VA care. The psychiatric and rectal disorders are also not related to service or VA care. Finally, the residuals of the fracture of the right 5th metacarpal do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding no evidence of these conditions during active duty or a continuity of symptoms since separation. The appellant's assertions are not considered competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disability, specifically excluding hypertension. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and examination reports.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected disability that contributed to the veteran's death, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death is not service-connected and that DIC benefits are also denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied secondary service connection for hypertension and arthritis as they were not found to be related to the service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities have been granted at 30 percent, but higher ratings are still denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and prostate disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the hypertension claim. The prostate disorder was not found due to a lack of in-service or post-service medical records linking it to service.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed as he withdrew his substantive appeal.