Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently manifested by diastolic pressure readings of predominantly less than 110 and systolic pressure readings of predominately less than 200. The current evaluation of 10% remains appropriate given the blood pressure measurements provided in the medical records.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and assigned earlier effective dates for the 30 percent rating based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected burns likely caused or made worse his hypertension, which in turn combined to cause his death. Therefore, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis of essential hypertension, and thus the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was incurred during his active service and is related to his current condition.

The Board finds that the appellant's claims for accrued benefits and service connection for the cause of death are well grounded. The claim for service connection is pending due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether PTSD aggravated the veteran's vascular disease.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current heart disease or hypertension to his service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension due to the lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and service. The veteran's heart was found to be moderately enlarged shortly after entering service, but no specific treatment or medication was provided. Post-service medical records show continued treatment for various heart-related problems.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension and a higher evaluation for residuals of myocardial infarction with hypertension, both effective from December 15, 1993.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current heart disorder and hypertension, and service. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's surviving spouse's claim for special monthly death pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound, finding that she does not meet the criteria as her disabilities do not render her helpless or substantially confined.

The case is being remanded for further development, including verification of the veteran's service dates and procurement of medical records.

The Board found the appellant's claim for DIC due to her husband's blindness caused by bilateral occipital lobe infarcts under 38 C.F.R. § 3.312 and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 not well-grounded, as there was no evidence linking the veteran's blindness directly to service-connected conditions or any other compensable disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected organic heart disease with systolic murmur and hypertension does not warrant an increased disability rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability secondary to his service-connected hypertension is denied, and the claim for an increased evaluation for hypertension is also denied.

The veteran's alcohol abuse is service-connected secondary to his PTSD, but the claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD is not well-grounded.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension on a direct basis and as secondary to his service-connected back disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and to schedule VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected back disorder.

The Board denied reopening the claim for ESRD secondary to medication prescribed for a service-connected disability and also denied entitlement to VA compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for ESRD secondary to medication prescribed by VA.