Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ulcers, tinea of the hands and feet, anxiety disorder, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and hearing loss, are well-grounded. The right ear hearing impairment was incurred in service.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 29, 1991 for the award of a 60 percent evaluation for arteriosclerotic heart disease with hypertension and coronary artery bypass graft residuals.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension and chronic sinusitis, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to his period of active service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities (postoperative residuals of left hip fracture and hypertension) do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in the circumstances surrounding the VA examination of October 1999. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reviewed again with a new examination by two different psychiatrists.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery bypass, hypertension, and ulcer residuals as secondary to his service-connected gastritis medicamentosa. The evidence did not show a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right arm condition and glomerulonephritis, made him unable to work as of May 1, 1995. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at May 1, 1995.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder/hypertension, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were not well grounded. The evidence did not show a nexus between current disabilities and his military service.

The Board found that the appellant does not require regular aid and attendance of another person or is housebound due to her disabilities, thus denying special monthly pension benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a personal hearing before a Hearing Officer at the local RO. The increased evaluation claims for bilateral weak feet and hypertension will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and has reopened his claims for service connection for a cardiac disorder and a foot disorder. The evidence submitted since the previous decisions is found to be new and material.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension as his claims were not well-grounded.

The veteran's hypertension disability is not rated higher than 10 percent. The claims for service connection for fatigue and weakness due to undiagnosed illness, and for a rash disorder are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an undiagnosed illness under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD and increased the evaluation of PTSD from 10% to 50%, effective September 18, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic digestive system disorder, neck injuries, lumbar disc disease, and chronic right and left ankle disorders due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The claim was denied.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease with hypertension and status post bypass surgery, finding the veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD is not well grounded and denied it.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, angina and a myocardial infarction in January 1996. The veteran's claim was reopened on August 6, 1996, based on new evidence, and he was granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease with myocardial infarction, angina and hypertension from that date. The Board found no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date.