Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2003

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's hypertension began during his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis and denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of essential hypertension and service connection for abnormal pap smears. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to evaluate her current essential hypertension.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding increased evaluations for the veteran's thoracic degenerative arthritis, low back pain with radiculopathy, and hypertension.

The Board has ordered further development in your case due to pending issues and evidence. Your case was sent to the Board's Evidence Development Unit for additional development.

Your appeal is being remanded for further development by the RO.

The Board has jurisdiction to consider the issues of whether new and material evidence had been presented to reopen service connection for a psychiatric disability and hypertension, and entitlement to service connection for gouty arthritis. The veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, finding that he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for hypertensive heart disease effective August 24, 1998. The issue of tonsillitis was part of a separate appeal and is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 23, 2000 rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical incapacity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran is substantially confined to his dwelling and the immediate premises, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety neurosis, but the decision is incomplete as it does not address hypertension. The veteran's testimony suggests a possible secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, a gastrointestinal disorder (double hernia), and chronic sinusitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to military service.

The veteran claims entitlement to service connection for hypertension, which he alleges was first diagnosed in 1959. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate and obtain his service medical records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) due to a fire that destroyed Air Force personnel records prior to 1957. Additionally, they are asked to request treatment records from Dr. Thomas H. Locke and Clinicare.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA medical examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of myocardial infarction and an increased evaluation for hypertension. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, and current disability due to myocardial infarction was not established.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding that these conditions began during the veteran's active duty. The TDIU rating issue is remanded to assign a percentage disability evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension during service or within the one-year presumptive period after service. The veteran's current skin disability and right ear hearing loss are not linked to his active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bronchial asthma, as well as his requests for higher initial ratings for tinea pedis and sinusitis. The RO also granted service connection and a noncompensable rating for tinea pedis and a 10 percent rating for sinusitis.