Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD and orthopedic conditions. The effective date is not specified as it was a grant of service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, hearing loss, hypertension with renal impairment, and cardiac disease. The claim for a compensable disability rating for acneiform lesions, folliculitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection and disability ratings is being remanded due to the need to obtain medical records, conduct a VA examination, and comply with provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension have been denied. The claim for a back disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to January 12, 1998 or in excess of 20 percent beginning that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was related to his service-connected hypertension, leading to an acute myocardial infarction. The claim is granted.

The veteran's disabilities render him unable to independently care for his daily personal needs on a regular basis without assistance from another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of aid and attendance.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, as the majority of his systolic readings have been above 160.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, hypertension, and hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disability, including hypertension, is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected amputations. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The veteran's disabilities, including residuals of a left basal ganglia hemorrhage with right hemiparesis and hypertension, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety neurosis, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, morbid obesity, diabetes and hypertension as secondary to the service-connected lumbosacral strain. The evaluation for lumbosacral strain is increased to 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence, diabetes and cardiovascular disease with hypertension as secondary to nicotine dependence, and PTSD. The claim for direct service connection of diabetes mellitus was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin condition, thrombocutaneous disorder (claimed as bone marrow or blood condition), heart disease, hypertension, memory loss, and increased evaluation for grand mal seizure disorder. The claims were not well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that the veteran's hypertension began in service and caused his post-service coronary artery disease.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the July 1977 decision that continued a zero percent evaluation for hypertension.

The case is being remanded for the RO to re-rate the veteran's existing disabilities and then re-adjudicate his claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on housebound status.

The Board found that the March 1980 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as it failed to apply the correct facts to the existing regulatory provisions. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for third-degree burn scars on the right hand and wrist, which should have been a 30 percent rating due to the size of the affected area exceeding one-half square foot.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his hypertension, finding that his diastolic pressure was not predominantly 110 or more and his systolic pressure was not predominantly 200 or more.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart disability, including hypertension. The Board also found that the veteran's heart disability had its onset during active military service.