Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and hypertension is being remanded due to the absence of sufficient evidence to evaluate the current severity of his heart condition. Additional VA examination, treatment records, and development are required.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, ulcers, and hypertension with dizziness were denied. His claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the appellant's claims for service connection for pes planus and hypertension. The appellant served on active duty from March 1968 to March 1970, and testified that he first experienced foot problems during his military service. Post-service medical records confirm a diagnosis of pes planus and ongoing hypertension.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery bypass graft, fractures of the pubis and pelvis, chronic otitis media, thoracotomy, hypertension, rupture of the urethra, and fracture of the left orbit with facial lacerations, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for hypertension and has determined that he incurred sleep apnea syndrome in service. The decision is based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial, including a current diagnosis of hypertension and an opinion linking sleep apnea syndrome to active service.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected hypertension and schizoaffective disorder, with a rating of 10 percent for hypertension and 30 percent for schizoaffective disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that no evidence existed to support such a determination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, migraine headaches, essential hypertension, galactorrhea, weight gain due to medications, or uncontrollable tremors. The evidence does not support a finding of these conditions being related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and need for further examinations.

The veteran's service-connected post-nephrotic nephrosis with hypertension is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as there was no evidence of edema or definite decrease in kidney function.

The veteran's application for special monthly pension on account of need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied due to the absence of a single permanent disability rated at 100%.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound. His claim of mental incompetence was also denied.

The veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his multiple disabling conditions, which render him unable to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment on a regular basis.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy, including as due to Agent Orange exposure in service. The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was granted a schedular evaluation of 70 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's request for waiver of an overpayment of improved disability pension benefits, finding that his failure to disclose his wife's employment income was willful and constituted bad faith.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding it not well grounded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an eye disability. The veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, diverticulosis, and internal hemorrhoids are all rated based on their current severity.

The veteran's second-degree burn scars on the right and left upper extremities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings possible under applicable diagnostic codes. The face and neck scars do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.,Mild hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from April 16, 1999. Prior to that date, the veteran's hypertension was rated noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, congestive heart failure, and postoperative coronary bypass grafting, is related to his tobacco use in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for residuals of cerebral vascular accident/subarachnoid hemorrhage with headaches and hypertension due to new evidence submitted since the April 1974 denial.