Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2000

The veteran is granted a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his service-connected disabilities, which include panic attacks, coronary artery disease, hypertension, subacromial bursitis with degenerative joint disease of the shoulders, hemorrhoids, and costochondritis. The combined disability evaluation is 40 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records from HIP of New York and scheduling the veteran for an ophthalmologic examination.

The veteran's combined disability rating is no more than 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected heart disorder with hypertension warrants a 30 percent rating since October 1, 1991.

The veteran's hypertensive heart disease, hypertension; renal insufficiency, and Nephrotic syndrome were rated at 60 percent disabling in an August 1998 rating decision. The RO clarified that the correct evaluation is now 100 percent disabling since April 17, 1995.

The Board found that the veteran's avascular necrosis of the left hip was incurred in active service, while hypertension is not considered a chronic disease for which service connection could be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular renal disease with hypertension, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The issue is now before the RO for further review and determination.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to a need for pre-service and post-service medical records, as well as a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied due to his nonservice-connected disabilities not of misconduct etiology, which are not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension, finding that the diagnoses were not established in service or within one year of service.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a copy of a research paper.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for headaches and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was denied. The veteran is currently employed full-time, and there is no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease with hypertension as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left scapular region.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and hypertension are not rated higher, as the evidence does not meet criteria for a higher rating under current VA regulations.

The veteran's PTSD, previously diagnosed as chronic anxiety state, is rated at 70 percent effective June 22, 1998. His status post duodenal ulcer with recurrent episgastic complaints remains at a 10 percent rating. Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD has been granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for accrued benefits, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of service-connected disabilities at the time of the veteran's death.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and an increased evaluation for residuals of a second degree burn with scarring of the left leg. The claim for restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for frostbite of both feet was also denied.

The veteran's multiple disabilities, including muscle spasms and joint pain, skin disorder, kidney disorder, tonsillitis, chronic back pain and stiffness, cardiac disorder, hypertension, heart bypass surgery residuals, glaucoma, corneal opacities, cholecystitis, are not due to mustard gas exposure or any other service-connected condition.