Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2001

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and residuals of a right nephrectomy, finding that new evidence supports this claim. The issue will now be decided on its merits.

The veteran died in January 2000 due to cardiomyopathy and hypertension. The Board found that the cause of death was not caused by service-connected conditions, including PTSD, and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability, but denied the other issues. The veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for a scalp scar is pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's hypertension, which has been service-connected, does not warrant a compensable rating based on his blood pressure readings.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including migraines and arthritis, was granted. The veteran also received a separate rating for his arthritis and an initial evaluation of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no competent evidence indicating that his current condition was related to a disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for muscle tension headaches, cervical spine strain, and hypertension due to a lack of well-grounded evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 29, 1996, for his award of nonservice-connected pension benefits. The veteran argued that he was incapacitated and hospitalized prior to this date due to his schizophrenia and other conditions. However, the Board found no evidence supporting this claim and determined that the appropriate effective date should be August 29, 1996.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional clinical records from the veteran's final period of nursing home care, which may affect whether service connection for the cause of death can be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and arthritis, finding no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected hydronephrosis with hypertension, cystitis, prostatitis, and transurethral resection of the bladder neck.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension and a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence does not support an increased rating or reopening of his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and excessive itching, joint pains, abdominal pains, hypertension, scars from shrapnel wounds of the left shoulder, PTSD, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeals are based on secondary service connection.

The veteran's hypertension, a service-connected condition, is rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection in September 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, and memory loss (undiagnosed illness) are denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or following his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service and/or service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The appellant is also not eligible for accrued benefits based on the veteran's January 1992 claim for service connection for hypertension/heart disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, major affective disorder, depression and/or bipolar disorder, disability of the large and small intestine and/or stomach, undiagnosed illness manifested by urinary frequency and incontinence, and undiagnosed illness manifested by cold flashes. The RO also confirmed the denial of service connection for asthma.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability, a right knee disability, and hypertension due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. The RO was instructed to attempt to verify combat service and obtain medical records from identified providers.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for essential hypertension and granted service connection for organic heart disease, including hyperlipidemia and essential hypertension.

The Board found that service connection for ocular hypertension (claimed as glaucoma) is granted, and the rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was increased to 20 percent.