Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, stomach ulcers, residuals of frostbite of the feet, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that neither his service-connected tuberculosis nor any other condition contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to an increased rate of DIC benefits due to her need for regular aid and attendance, given her physical disabilities.

The veteran's disabilities, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to their combined rating of 60 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and kidney disease, finding no evidence of their onset or causation in service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including organic brain syndrome and mental retardation, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for residuals of fracture of the right fifth metacarpal, service connection for skin disorder, urinary disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and secondary service connection for hypertension. The RO assigned noncompensable ratings to all these issues.

The Board found that the veteran's essential hypertension and ASHD were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected rheumatic heart disease.

The veteran is permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux, dysthymia by history, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and thoracic spines, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, bilateral knee arthritis of the patella, mass soft tissue of the neck, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial in June 1995. The claim is now pending for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's aortic stenosis is granted as being due to his service-connected hypertension. His hypertension and nephrolithiasis are both granted increased ratings, while his hemorrhoids receive the maximum compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy, finding that April 4, 1995 is the appropriate effective date based on the date of receipt of the informal claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of death due to promyelocytic leukemia, but denied the claim as there is no evidence linking the disease to military service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be so disabling as to render him unable to care for his daily personal needs or protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living, without regular assistance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of GERD and service connection for hypertension are not supported by the evidence, and thus have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is on remand for additional development and consideration of his claims, including the effective date for the low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD, entitlement to TDIU, and service connection for a cardiovascular disorder. The earlier effective date issues were dismissed due to the veteran's failure to file timely substantive appeals.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, a psychiatric disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and impotence. The evidence submitted since the August 1994 rating decision was not considered new and material to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hepatitis have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.