Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to July 16, 1993 for his total compensation rating based on individual unemployability. The RO initially granted this benefit in November 1997 and later changed it to July 16, 1993 due to service connection for nicotine dependence and secondary heart disease.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is found to have contributed substantially to his death by hastening the progression of his cardiovascular disease.

The veteran's hypertension and cervical strain were granted service connection. The reduction in the disability rating for cervical strain from 20% to noncompensable was upheld, and a 10% rating for cervical strain was assigned.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the initial rating for hearing loss of the right ear has been granted. The cardiovascular disability/hypertension remains in dispute.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertension and left knee disability, but denied his claim for an increased rating for right knee disorder as not well-grounded.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for service-connected nephritis with hypertension, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's limited occupational and educational backgrounds, as well as his diagnosed psychiatric disorders, render him permanently and totally unemployable. Therefore, a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no evidence showing a direct link between any service-connected disability and his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability including ankylosing spondylitis and hypertension secondary to the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service-connected death benefits due to new evidence. However, it was determined that there is no causal connection between the veteran's death and active duty.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred in connection with outpatient testing conducted at Winter Park Memorial Hospital on April 2, 1997 is denied. The criteria for entitlement to payment/reimbursement under VA regulations are not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for liver disability, hypertension, stomach disability, and prostate disability, all claimed as due to exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam. The Board found no clear medical evidence of these conditions and concluded that there was no positive association between exposure to herbicide agents and any other condition.

The veteran's severe back disability, along with other conditions, meets the criteria for special monthly pension benefits due to the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of venous varicosities, service connection for hypertension and right knee/leg disability as secondary to his service-connected venous varicosities, and service connection for a low back disorder. The claim for reopening a direct-service connection claim for a back disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tachycardia and hypertension, finding no evidence of a cardiovascular disability in service or within one year post-service. The claim for albuminuria with hematuria was also denied as there is no current clinical symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and bilateral high frequency hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to changes in the law and incomplete medical records.