Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board found that none of the service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to cause the veteran's death. The cause of death was listed as respiratory failure.

The Board denied the DIC claim, finding that the veteran's death was not service-connected and that he did not meet the requirements for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and lumbar strain, but denied the claims for left knee disorder, dysthymic disorder, headaches, and costochondritis.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and a VA opinion regarding the cause of death, including whether service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated intercranial hemorrhage and hypertension.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including arthralgia of the lumbosacral spine and hypertension, render him unemployable, meeting the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and hypertension, finding no current evidence of asbestos exposure or hypertension during service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left buttock. The remaining issues, including arthritis, hypertension with anemia and neuritis, dizziness, general weakness, malaria, and kidney disability, are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, essential hypertension, degenerative arthritis, and a left inguinal hernia. The claim of reopening the hearing loss was granted, but service connection is not warranted.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total rating due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the effective date of March 27, 2001 is correct because the depression was first claimed on that date.

The veteran's disabilities, including asbestosis with emphysema and pulmonary hypertension, recurrent right ankle sprains, depressive reaction/passive dependent personality/paranoid schizophrenia, duodenal ulcer, post-operative left nevus conjunctiva, bilateral foot disability, hiatal hernia, and refractive error, rendered him so helpless that he required regular aid and attendance of another person prior to April 9, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension likely began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, hypertension, depression, low back strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to new VA medical records, and the veteran's claim of restoration of a 100 percent disability rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease is currently rated at 60 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis but denied service connection for hypertension as due to undiagnosed illness. The veteran's current rating for bronchitis is 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular condition and hypertension are related to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, warranting service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those claimed as a result of undiagnosed illness. The Board concluded that none of the claimed disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, cardiomyopathy, chronic renal insufficiency and CVA as secondary to his service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are currently rated at 60 percent. The Board found the evidence did not warrant an increase in this rating.