Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The veteran's chronic disabilities, including hypertension, COPD, right elbow and low back conditions, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and work history. The Board has determined that the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service-connected pension purposes are met.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection and concluding that she did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and clarification of his claims, particularly regarding the relationship between PTSD and his heart conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and low back disability, finding no evidence of a relationship to military service.

The veteran's skin rash to the thighs and genitals, as well as his generalized joint pain, are found to be related to an undiagnosed illness incurred during service in Southwest Asia. The veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, back disorder, dizziness, and insomnia are denied. The VA has not established service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension likely had its onset during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis for the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and arteriosclerotic heart disease, duodenal ulcer, and hypertension, are evaluated at the highest possible ratings. The total rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and accrued benefits due to lack of timely filing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a shoulder disorder, inguinal hernia surgery, lung disorder, chest pain, macular degeneration, and residuals of scarlet fever. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed due to tobacco use and/or nicotine dependence acquired in service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his diastolic blood pressure was predominantly below 110 during the appellate period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current complaints of hypertension, arthritis, cold sensitivity (claimed as cold injury residuals), sleep disturbance, and night pain are not related to his military service. The claim for cold sensitivity is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, to include as due to his service-connected auriculoventricular heart block with myocardial damage. The new evidence submitted suggests a possible relationship between hypertension and previous heart damage.

The RO has granted a 60 percent rating for hypertension, the maximum available under current criteria. The issue of increased rating for residuals of infectious hepatitis remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the veteran's pre-existing condition worsened during his second period of active duty. Service connection was denied for a bilateral eye condition and residuals of a heart attack.

The veteran's death benefits were denied as the law only allows for payment of accrued benefits up to one year prior to his date of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year after separation from active duty.