Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2000

The Board finds the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is well grounded. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records, conduct VA examinations, and consider both old and new rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The issue of entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes remains unresolved.

The veteran's cervical spine fracture residuals, multiple joint arthralgias of knees, right shoulder and low back, and hypertension are all rated at their maximum allowable levels under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, defective vision, and hypertension are denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's disability evaluation is 100% for bilateral above-the-knee amputations due to peripheral vascular disease, and he meets the criteria for housebound status based on his physical limitations. However, he does not meet the criteria for need for regular aid and attendance.

The case is being remanded to the RO due to new evidence received since the April 2000 supplemental statement of the case. The veteran's claims for service connection for sinus arrhythmia and hypertension will be reviewed, and a supplemental statement of the case will be issued.

The veteran's cardiovascular disabilities, including coronary artery disease, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and hypertension, are rated at a single entity of 30 percent. The RO has granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected cardiovascular disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and hiatal hernia, as well as his service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the knees and elbows, and a bilateral leg disability manifested by cramps. The RO also referred the claim of prostate cancer as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange for further action.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including back disorder, hypertension, kidney disorder, and urinary disorder. The appellant's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was incurred during service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the cause of death to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, hypertension, and sinus disorder are not well-grounded. The veteran's hallux valgus deformity of the right foot is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5280, and her residuals of a tonsillectomy do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, hypertension with diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The RO maintained a 60 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus, a 30 percent evaluation for hypertension, and no separate evaluations were assigned for the peripheral neuropathies.

The veteran's high blood pressure was diagnosed during service and has continued to be a problem since then. The Board finds that the evidence supports this condition as being incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as he is able to perform basic self-care functions without assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection. The veteran's cesarean section scar was found to be a natural result of childbirth and not a medical complication of pregnancy. Her psychiatric residuals from miscarriage were not linked to active duty service. The latex allergy was rated based on its impact on her work as an operating room nurse, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for service connection are well grounded. The evidence suggests a possible link between the veteran's current hypertension and memory loss to his military service, but further examination is needed to confirm this.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Hypertension are not well-grounded, as there is no competent evidence showing a link between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that stress from PTSD aggravates these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, finding that it was not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected PTSD.