Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his hypertension, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from hypertension or myocarditis, and therefore, his claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied. The rating for his hypertension, which had been noncompensable, was increased to 10 percent effective March 12, 1999.

The Board found that the appellant is not a veteran and therefore cannot be granted service connection for diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disorders.

The veteran is seeking compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. � 1151 for various disabilities and adverse symptomology as a result of treatment received at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center from February 1998 to August 2001. The claims are denied due to lack of specific evidence regarding increased severity, causation by VA fault, or unforeseeable events.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a deviated nasal septum, and teeth problems have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is service-connected, but hypertension and ischemic cardiomyopathy are not addressed in the decision. The cause of death (cerebrovascular accident) is attributed to these conditions.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, hepatitis C, and splenomegaly did not result from VA hospitalization or medical/surgical treatment in April 1990. The claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disorder and hypertension, finding no competent evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service connected pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 40 percent for gout and 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding that the veteran's COPD was not related to his active military service or any service-related nicotine dependence.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for his right rotator cuff injury. The decision found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and it is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for bilateral defective hearing on and subsequent to June 10, 1999. The veteran's service-connected hypertension is rated at 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension or coronary artery disease in service, and concluded that these conditions were not incurred during active duty. The veteran's current conditions are attributed to post-service factors.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's timely substantive appeal was submitted after the issuance of the statement of the case, and thus the April 1999 denial is vacated. The issue of service connection for hypertension will be reconsidered.

The veteran's hand and foot disabilities, as well as his hypertension, were not found to be service-connected. His fractured nasal bone was granted a 10% evaluation, but the residuals of rheumatic fever remain denied.