Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board found that the appellant's disabilities did not render her helpless or so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another, nor were they substantial enough to confine her to her home. Therefore, she is not entitled to special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the cause of death (cardiorespiratory arrest) was not related to service or any service-connected condition, including hypertension and esophageal cancer. The veteran's anxiety neurosis did not contribute substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of its presence during or within one year after service. The Board also noted that there was no link between the veteran's military service and his current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, heart murmur, and blackouts were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Court remanded the case for compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board found that the veteran's currently demonstrated hypertension is likely to have had its clinical onset during his active service and granted service connection for hypertension.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left rib fracture, right knee injury, third degree burns on the hands and face, laceration of the chin, tumor on the right side of the rib cage, chronic respiratory disability, cardiovascular renal disease (hypertension), tinnitus, musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and neck, and chronic stomach pain. The decisions are final based on evidence from service records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and secondary service connection for coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction and tachycardia. The claim seeking VA compensation benefits pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for coronary artery disease is dismissed as a result.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for hypertension prior to May 12, 2000, finding that the criteria for such a rating were not met during this period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for diabetes mellitus, residuals of a left ankle fracture, hypertension, and PTSD due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected anxiety reaction disorder, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence showing an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for restoration of a 10 percent rating for laceration scar of the left forehead is granted. The claim for an increased rating for hypertension with intermittent chest pain and tachycardia is also granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are attributable to his over 20 years of active service. However, there is no evidence to support a finding that cerebrovascular disease was incurred in or aggravated during service, and it is not shown to be proximately due to medication taken for service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertensive heart disease and hypertension, as well as a TDIU rating, were denied by the RO. The RO found that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for these benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disability, including coronary artery disease and other related conditions, as these disabilities are not shown to be directly related to the veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for an ulcer disorder and hypertension as secondary to the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, but granted a 50 percent rating for his anxiety disorder.