Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

The case is being remanded for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seizure disorder is not service-connected and does not meet the criteria for pension eligibility based on unemployability due to non-service connected disabilities. The veteran was denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, which was presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for hypertension is denied as the condition did not begin during or within one year after active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. Further medical development is needed to determine if the veteran's heart disease is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for arterial hypertension is denied, while his PTSD claim remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service medical records and needs further investigation into the veteran's claims.

The veteran wants another hearing at the RO, and his claim is being remanded for this purpose. The case will be handled expeditiously.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including service connection for cognitive disorder and hypertension. The issues include both primary and secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and denied his claim for service connection for hypertension. The RO considered all available evidence, including VA examinations and private medical records, but was unable to find any additional relevant information from the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to invalidated provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current rating for encephalopathy associated with arterial hypertension is protected and may not be reduced. Additionally, a separate compensable rating of 10 percent for headaches as a residual of encephalopathy and 20 percent for hypertension have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, COPD, and asthma/bronchitis cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during active duty. The veteran's current conditions are considered to be due to his own use of tobacco products.

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hypertension and/or cardiovascular disease allegedly resulting from VA treatment of his nonservice-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a 30 percent rating for sarcoidosis, based on the evidence of record. The appellant's failure to report for VA examinations prevented further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the appellant's claims due to a need for additional notification and development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The claims include service connection for PTSD, hypertension, ulnar neuropathy, gastrointestinal disorder, and total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for service connection are granted for a shrapnel wound scar of the right arm, but denied for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and hypertension, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cardiovascular disabilities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arteriosclerotic heart disease, are not service-connected as they did not arise during or within one year after his military service.