Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability is not secondary to his service-connected cartilage semilunar removal of right knee, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an upper gastrointestinal bulb disorder, chronic prostatitis, residuals of a bladder injury, flat feet, hypertension, rupture and strain of the left testicle, residuals of muscle strain and cartilage injury of the stomach, heart and chest, hiatal hernia, left leg and groin disability (to include varicose veins), and residuals of broken ribs.

The Board has granted service connection for aortic stenosis with heart murmur, finding that the condition was initially manifested during active duty. Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to pending medical opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and hypertension, as well as his increased ratings for post-operative residuals of splenectomy and splenorenal shunt with hiatal hernia, and portal hypertension. The claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case will be returned to the RO for these actions.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and conducting a psychiatric examination. The appeal is currently pending due to ongoing remand instructions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension, a laceration to the head and severe headaches, and left upper lobe granuloma as a result of exposure to herbicides are granted.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the service connection for hypertension, which may be related to or secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being sent back to the RO for additional examination and review.

The Board has requested an addendum to the November 2000 VA cardiovascular examination. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cardiovascular disorder that began during or is causally linked to service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's glomerulosclerosis with renal insufficiency and hypertension warrants a 60 percent evaluation, effective March 25, 1999.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the veteran receives a complete record and appropriate consideration of his claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for evidence and clarification. The appeal is currently remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the claims.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and end-stage renal disease has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney and heart condition, primarily manifested by exertional angina pectoris, an ejection fraction of 32%, and an estimated workload of 2-4 METS (metabolic equivalents), warrants a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever, including hypertension, finding that there was no evidence showing a diagnosis of either condition in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches, hypertension, and foot problems did not meet the criteria for service connection. The veteran's headaches were noted to have existed prior to her military service and did not worsen during service. Her hypertension was first diagnosed many years after service and no medical evidence linked it to service. Her foot problems in service were acute and transitory.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension and left knee tendonitis. The RO must provide an SOC in response to the veteran's NOD regarding service connection for proteinuria and migraine headaches.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD and denied the claim.

The veteran is seeking service connection for essential hypertension and gastroesopahgeal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to PTSD, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case must be remanded due to the need for additional development.