Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and kidney stones have been granted.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death (respiratory failure due to COPD) was not related to service or any incident therein, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cardiovascular disease to include hypertension and hiatal hernia with GERD. The upper lip scar claim was granted, but only at a 10% disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, including essential hypertension, finding no current clinical confirmation of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for headaches and found that the appellant's hypertension warrants an increased rating. The claim for service connection of a vision disorder is also granted, but no effective date was assigned as it is based on new evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and hypertension, was not well-grounded. The evidence did not establish a link between his service-connected bacteremia and his current heart condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder, lung disorder, and hypertension all claimed as residuals of exposure to mustard gas during service. The evidence did not show any exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during service.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions related to service for the claimed disabilities and thus denied all claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran's claimed disabilities, including depression, dysthymia, anxiety, psoriasis, hypertension, and low back strain, are not service-connected. The RO found that these conditions are secondary to his alcohol dependence and marijuana abuse.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder incurred during active duty for training and assigned an initial compensable rating of 10% for right patella subluxation. The claim for high blood pressure is denied as not well grounded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical evidence regarding the etiology of the appellant's axonal demyelinating neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, bilateral knee replacement, diabetes mellitus, and headaches. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to his military service, nor were any of his service-connected disabilities contributory to his death. The claim is denied.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied due to the combined evaluation of his nonservice-connected disabilities not meeting the required percentage.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of PTSD and jungle rot are well-grounded, while his claims for other conditions are not supported by cognizable evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's mitral valve prolapse with hypertension does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The current evaluation remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for poor vision, hypertension, residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left leg and back, and PTSD are not well grounded. The RO should adjudicate these issues again if a timely substantive appeal is received.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension as they are not well-grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted. The decision is considered final as it was affirmed by a court ruling.