Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and heart disease as secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's hypertension is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The residuals of uvulectomy are rated as noncompensable due to lack of severe symptoms. The renal lithiasis has not been evaluated further.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have coronary artery disease, hypertension, or a kidney disorder due to service. The evidence does not show these conditions were present in service or within one year postservice.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including upper gastrointestinal bulb disorder, chronic prostatitis, bladder injury residuals, flat feet, hypertension, rupture and strain of the left testicle, circulatory disorder of the legs and feet, muscle strain and cartilage injury of the stomach, heart and chest, hiatal hernia, left leg and groin disability, and broken ribs. The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the failure to schedule a personal hearing before a Member of the Board. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating prior to February 22, 1995 and an increased initial rating since that date.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement regarding the February 1996 rating decision, which resulted in a final determination. The earlier effective date claim for a 100% rating for rheumatic heart disease with pulmonary hypertension was also denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 80 percent for hypertension with renal insufficiency effective from July 16, 1997 to January 11, 1998.

The Board found that the cause of death, an acute myocardial infarction, is not related to military service or any incident which occurred in service. Cardiovascular disease was not shown to be related to active duty and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including kidney disorder, foot disability, menstrual disorder, left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disability, hypertension, eye disability, hemorrhoids, and sinus disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits was granted effective November 25, 2001. The RO also granted service connection for migraine headaches with an effective date of February 7, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, headaches, sinus disorder, high blood pressure, bilateral foot disorder, left toe fracture, or skin disorder of the hands and feet.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent, and his diabetes mellitus, hypertension, alcoholic hepatitis, sinusitis, and kidney stones are each rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or pension benefits due to unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as his diastolic pressure was predominantly below 110 and systolic pressure was predominantly below 200.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension was not treated for a period in excess of 21 days during his hospitalization at the VA Medical Center, thus preventing him from receiving a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from November 30, 1994.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, excluding hypertension; a skin condition; allergic rhinitis; and a headache disorder. The evidence does not support the presence of any chronic cardiovascular or skin conditions during service or at present.

The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise, with the veteran's contentions supported by medical opinions and personal observations during service. The Board concluded that hypertension was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a significant change in the law and the need for additional development of the claims file.

The Board has determined that the veteran submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, which was previously denied. The veteran now needs to provide additional medical evidence to support his claim.