Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder; a chancroid with lymphadenitis; or any other claimed conditions. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's left and right foot hallux valgus, postoperative bunionectomy and tendon transplant with callosity are rated at 20 percent each. The veteran's hypertension is also rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's heart condition, including myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic heart disease with angina, has been rated at 30 percent since August 1992. The current evaluation is based on the revised criteria effective January 12, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, finding that there was no competent medical evidence showing a current disability linked to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cardiomyopathy, left bundle branch block, abnormal electrocardiogram and hypertension is no more than 30 percent disabling under the current rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of malaria, hypertension, and arthritis are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no competent evidence linking it to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or for a total disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and a cerebrovascular accident, finding that there was no medical evidence to bridge the gap between his 1975 retirement from service and his 1988 cerebrovascular accident.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's service-connected low back disability results in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the regular and constant use of a wheelchair or other assistive devices. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The Board denied the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bronchitis, and pharyngitis are not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension was denied. His PTSD claim resulted in a 10% disability rating, but the issue of an increased evaluation for his low back injury remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and hypertension, but denied service connection for gout. The veteran's claims of PTSD and hypertension are well-grounded.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis or connection between the veteran's current cardiovascular disease and his service, thus denying the claim.

The veteran's esophageal varices with surgical shunt is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. The claims for hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease and peptic ulcer disease), and headaches are denied due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for joint problems, hypertension, gout, poor vision and heart problems secondary to his service-connected post-operative residuals of a right nephrectomy are not well-grounded. The claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is well-grounded.

The veteran's combined non-service-connected disability rating is 60%, which does not meet the requirement for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatitis are denied as there is no evidence to support a service connection claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for shrapnel wound of the right arm, hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm, telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (secondary to Agent Orange exposure), and renal cyst (secondary to Agent Orange exposure). The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.