Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete service medical records and needs additional examinations for the veteran's claimed conditions. The case will be returned to the RO for these actions.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and new evidence. The case is now being returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and requesting an examination.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, maintaining their current disability ratings of 10% and 40%, respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder, entitlement to higher ratings for his lumbar degenerative disc disease with chronic strain and hypertension with tachycardia, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The reasons were that there was no evidence linking the current neck disorder to in-service events or injuries, and the other conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for avascular necrosis of the hips due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam. The other claims remain pending.

The veteran's service-connected arterial hypertension is rated at 10 percent, effective December 19, 2001. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and hepatitis C, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The currently diagnosed conditions are not considered related to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, thus denying her claim for special monthly pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hypertension with cardiomyopathy is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension and sarcoidosis, finding that the evidence did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and low back disorder, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence that tobacco use or nicotine dependence began in service and no link between the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction with neurodermatitis and gastroint

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, stomach disorder, hypertension, and residuals of a spinal tap due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board denied compensation benefits for a heart disorder as a residual of burns and skin graft on VA medical facility, finding that the amputation was not the causative factor for his development of hypertension or coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current hypertension or residuals of frostbite to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including additional evidence collection. The appeal is currently pending and will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravates his hypertension, allowing for a favorable outcome on this issue.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure, a stomach condition, and diabetes with impotence as the conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and hypertension, as well as an increased rating for recurrent urticaria with angioneurotic edema and a compensable evaluation for residuals of left ankle sprain.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, a heart disability (including hypertension), and left knee tendonitis. The claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left 3rd digit was granted with a noncompensable evaluation.