Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder has aggravated his non-service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension, warranting a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, hearing loss and tinnitus, hypertension, and residuals of a left hand injury. The evidence does not support the veteran's claims that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.,Service records do not show any respiratory issues, hearing problems, high blood pressure, or injuries to the left hand during service. The earliest signs of COPD, hearing loss, hypertension, and a history of injury to the left hand occurred many years after service.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability, hypertension, or scoliosis related to service. The veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations prevented the Board from considering these issues.

The Board denied service connection for essential hypertension and a chronic acquired low back disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his diastolic pressure is predominantly less than 110 and systolic pressure is predominantly less than 200. The claim for an increased evaluation for hypertension is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial in October 1995. The case is remanded for further development.

The veteran's depression is found to be proximately due to or the result of her already service-connected PTSD, and thus she is granted service connection for depression secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and to ensure compliance with Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 requirements.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a recent judicial decision invalidating a regulation that allowed the Board to consider additional evidence without having to remand the case to the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and skin disorders of folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and tinea pedis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease, to include hypertension, and stomach ulcers. The claim for residuals of a head injury remains denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, hypertension, and hemorrhoids. The claim for service connection for a multiple joint disorder (to include arthritis and gout) is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence and a new examination to determine the etiology of any currently manifested psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to the veteran's active service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hypertension remain pending.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's essential hypertension, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and total disability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's hypertension was found to be permanently aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, and the Board granted service connection for this aggravation.

The Board finds that the veteran's diagnosed circulatory disorders, including hypertension, atherosclerotic heart disease, residuals of a cerebro-vascular accident (CVA), and carotid and peripheral vascular disease are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, chronic prostate disorder, gout, chronic left wrist disorder, and chronic chest disorder as the result of Agent Orange exposure. The acquired eye disorder is not considered a compensable disability.