Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not begin in service and is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The arthritis of multiple joints, including arms, shoulders, and neck, also did not begin in service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected conditions, and thus denied service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition and hypertension, finding no evidence of such conditions during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, to include hypertension, and arthritis due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and headaches do not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to July 25, 1995.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred in active service, nor are they proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the veteran's congestive heart failure and hypertension are related to his service-connected blindness and/or anxiety disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The Board also found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's current nasal injury to service, and therefore denied his claim for residuals of a nasal injury.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disability, including arteriosclerotic heart disease, myocardial infarction, three-vessel coronary artery disease, and hypertension (claimed as hypertension), due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, lung disorder as a result of exposure to herbicide agents, heart disease, and hypertension. The evidence did not support these claims.

The RO denied all claims for higher ratings as they were not warranted based on the clinical findings and diagnostic criteria provided in the decision. The maximum schedular rating was assigned for hallux valgus of the left foot prior to January 1, 1998, and a compensable rating was assigned for hallux valgus of the right foot prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it began during the veteran's first period of active service and is presumed to have been incurred therein.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent from September 7, 1991 to November 5, 2000 and increased to 60 percent thereafter.,His hypertension was rated at 10 percent from September 7, 1991 to February 13, 1997.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current hypertension and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during active military service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death, which was previously denied. The appellant is now entitled to service connection for cause of her husband's death due to atherosclerotic heart disease caused by essential hypertension.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for a skin disability and hypertension. The decision is considered mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, hemorrhoids, and post-operative residuals of a right inguinal hernia.