Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2002

The Board found no evidence to support an increased rating for the appendectomy scar and denied service connection for gout and hypertension. The appellant's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his hypertension and varicose veins, as well as service connection for right and left knee disorders. The veteran was not granted a compensable rating for pterygium of the left eye.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension, finding that his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or revised VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, sinus disorder, fatigue disorder, headache disorder, cold-like symptoms, and upper respiratory illness and tonsillitis. The reasons were that there was no evidence of a chronic condition or undiagnosed illness related to active service.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have current disabilities for tuberculosis, peptic ulcer disease, allergies, heart disease, hypertension, or arthritis that are related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's hypertension with mitral valve prolapse, palpitations, and dyspnea is rated at 30 percent. The athlete's foot, bilateral, with fungus between the toes and onychomycosis is rated at 10 percent. The chondromalacia of the left patella, with history of arthritis, does not warrant a compensable rating. The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's right shoulder injury, along with other conditions like hypertension and back pain, prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension preexisted her period of active duty for training and was not incurred or aggravated by service. The RO's decision to deny service connection is upheld.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for increased evaluations for residuals of a left shoulder injury (minor) and hemorrhoids have also been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, depression, varicose veins, and bilateral inguinal hernias due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and loss of skin pigmentation, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during active duty or ACDUTRA. The Board also found that presumptive service connection is not applicable.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral pes planus with calluses, finding that the additional evidence submitted was not new and material.

The Board found that the veteran's respiratory disorder, hypertension, psychiatric disability, pernicious anemia, and impaired circulation of the lower extremities were not present in service or for several years later, and they are not related to a service-connected disability or to an incident of service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not caused or worsened by his service-connected familial Mediterranean fever.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. Service connection was denied for a heart disorder.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his service-connected disabilities to his fatal conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus did not clearly and unmistakably preexist service, nor was it aggravated by service. The veteran is also denied special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by a disability of service origin, specifically hypertension which had its onset during service and led to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.