Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2000

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's hypertension and low potassium level to his service, thus denying the claim.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral weak feet and hypertension disabilities do not warrant increased ratings under the applicable schedular criteria. The evidence did not support higher evaluations based on functional impairment or other factors.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and cerebral hemorrhage as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral disc disease and strain, and denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the revised version of Diagnostic Code 7101 is more favorable to the veteran's claim, and thus assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite, heart disorders including hypertension, and loss of visual acuity are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking the fatal arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision based on CUE due to the Court's decision affirming the April 6, 1998, decision denying service connection.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or hypertension, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and requests for additional information from the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including CHF, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, pulmonary hypertension and left common carotid artery stenosis may be induced by exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and increased evaluations for cervical spine fractures with traumatic arthritis and lumbosacral strain. The veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for hypertension with sporadic premature ventricular contractions. The issues of low back disability, deviated nasal septum, rhinitis with enlarged turbinates, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were also addressed but are pending further development.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his hospital stays is denied because VA facilities were feasibly available and the veteran did not utilize them.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his period of service and thus, denied this claim. The Board found sufficient evidence to support a finding that hypertension was incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for schizophrenia, hepatitis, chronic prostatitis, and hypertension were not well grounded. The evidence did not show any current disabilities or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension is denied as the evidence does not show that his diastolic blood pressure has been predominantly 120 or more, which would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's Crohn's Disease with sclerosing cholangitis and pyoderma gangrenosum have been granted increased ratings, while his hypertension remains at a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was not well grounded due to insufficient evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and aortic valve replacement is not well grounded. The veteran has failed to present competent evidence of a link between his period of active service and his subsequent diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular disorders.