Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2002

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for service-connected gout, effective from June 1, 1995. The veteran's hypertension remains at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD with hypertension and bronchial asthma, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for bronchial asthma.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the propriety of the initial ratings for urinary tract infection/prostatitis and hypertension, as well as the reduction from 20 to 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not related to service, including his internment as a POW. The cause of death was acute respiratory failure due to bronchogenic carcinoma.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including an ulcer disorder of the legs, hypertension (HTN), arthritis, cuts on the stomach and arms, or depression. The RO's decision is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation during inactive duty training.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to her medical conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are secondary to his service-connected acute myelogenous leukemia.

The veteran's epididymitis was denied a higher rating, while his emphysema with asthma received increased ratings from December 1994 to June 2000. However, the RO has not granted a higher than 60 percent rating for the condition since June 8, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted. The veteran had a single high blood pressure reading during service but no diagnosis of hypertension at any time thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disease, including hypertension and tachycardia. The evidence received since the RO's September 1990 decision was not considered new and material.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of bone tissue resulting in loss of teeth, hypertension, and gum infection. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for loss of bone tissue resulting in loss of teeth. Service connection was not granted for hypertension or gum infection due to lack of medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred during service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and major depression, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's death was caused by improper and inadequate medical care during his February 1995 VA hospitalization, resulting in a grant of dependency and indemnity compensation.

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

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, occlusive coronary artery disease due to (or as a consequence of) coronary arteriosclerosis, was not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension cannot be earlier than February 1, 1995.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, finding that his disabilities did not result in helplessness due to mental or physical impairment.