Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and hypertension had not been submitted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertension, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance. However, her disabilities qualify her for housebound benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that the new evidence submitted since the last denial is not new and material.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cholecystectomy and pancreatectomy, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate disorder with prostatectomy, and cataract of the right eye. The appeals were based on the veteran's assertions that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from the date of service connection. The veteran's shrapnel wounds to the legs and hypertension are not currently in dispute as they were initially granted service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition and concluding that any increase in blood pressure during service did not constitute aggravation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and skin rashes, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on direct service or secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the law and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Orlando VA facility.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and hypertension. The only issue that was granted a compensable rating was for the residuals of a left wrist ganglion cyst.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and PTSD, as well as his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability. The appeals were not about service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension, a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and service connection for the cause of death. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions or disabilities to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either version of the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy associated with benign fibroid tumors. The RO reduced her hypertension evaluation from 40 percent to 20 percent effective February 1, 2000.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, depression, anger, and sleep problems, have rendered him unemployable since November 7, 1995. He also had a history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and experienced a myocardial infarction during VA treatment in October and November 1996.

The veteran's claimed conditions of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and left total hip replacement due to arthritis were not shown during service or within one year post-service. The Board found no presumption applicable.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging a new psychiatric examination. The RO will consider both old and new rating criteria when adjudicating these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and headaches are service-connected based on direct evidence, without invoking any presumptions or secondary theories of connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection of depression as secondary to her service-connected glomerulonephritis with hypertension. The issue of restoring a 60 percent disability rating for glomerulonephritis with hypertension is also granted.