Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2001

The Board granted increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected panic disorder, hypertension, and asthma with a history of bronchitis. The veteran was assigned a 10 percent evaluation for each condition effective from January 1, 1997.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to the combined effect of multiple conditions, including fibrocystic breast disease and ankle fractures.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his current conditions and their relationship to service. The RO will also need to address whether he is entitled to a higher rating for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hypertension was denied by the RO in November 2000. The veteran has appealed this decision.

The veteran's service-connected hypertensive heart disease, hypertension, renal insufficiency and nephrotic syndrome is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The medical evidence did not support a finding that his PTSD contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, dyspepsia, and periodontal disease. The veteran's arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 10 percent, and his cervical disability with Klippel-Feil syndrome and cervical spondylosis is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the claim of residuals of a brain concussion, as there was no showing of current residuals or head injury during service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his peptic ulcer disease by history is not compensably disabling.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and premature ventricular contractions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from a private physician and conducting a VA cardiovascular examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides. The claim for diabetes mellitus is presumed based on herbicide exposure, but further development is needed for other conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension was granted, with the current rating of 20 percent being maintained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic bronchitis, inverted papilloma, tonsillectomy, and hypertension is denied as untimely.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing hypertension did not worsen during service and therefore denied service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's appeal regarding the initial noncompensable rating for hypertension and the denial of service connection for sinusitis, allergies, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including narcolepsy, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, tendonitis (claimed as left arm pain), hypertension, sinus bradycardia, lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and sciatica, and cervical degenerative joint disease. The appeal is denied.

The veteran's unauthorized medical services at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center on July 19, 1999 were reimbursed by the VA because they involved his service-connected conditions and there was a medical emergency that required immediate treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and disability evaluation of hypertension, finding that the earliest submission was on August 13, 1998.