Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional examination and consideration.

The veteran died while hospitalized in a VA medical facility for worsening shortness of breath. The cause of death was attributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and other conditions. The appellant is seeking compensation under the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to her belief that the veteran's death was caused by VA treatment. The claim will be remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on causation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between any current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease, status-post coronary artery bypass grafts with a history of hypertension.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension due to exposure to Agent Orange is dismissed. The claim for the residuals of venereal disease with brain damage is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, sinusitis, allergic disorders, prostate gland disorder, hearing loss, and a lung disorder (COPD), all of which were found to be not related to his active military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are proximately due to and the results of disability incurred in active military service, specifically nicotine addiction which began during service.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions. The case is now remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed eye, cardiovascular, left inguinal hernia, left testicle disorder, and prostate disorders. The decision also denied a compensable evaluation for malaria.

The Board determined that the appellant had not submitted new and material evidence to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The medical opinion concluded that the veteran's noncompliance with his diabetes mellitus treatment was a significant factor in his cardiovascular disease, which ultimately led to his death.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected hypertension has been granted, but the RO needs to schedule a Video Conference hearing before a VLJ as requested.

The Board granted service connection for a kidney disorder secondary to hypertension and assigned a 20 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain from March 30, 1993. The rating for hypertension was increased to 20 percent effective July 24, 2002.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim that service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to the veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has ordered further development in the case due to pending issues and new evidence. The appeal is currently on hold for additional review.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as there is no evidence that he requires such assistance.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 or 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and colitis as these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for encephalomalacia was previously denied due to lack of evidence supporting its relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, residuals of dental trauma, and prostate disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy remains denied as no new evidence was submitted that would warrant reopening.

The Board has restored service connection for arterial hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and old myocardial infarction as the October 1987 RO decision granting service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension.