Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a finger injury, essential hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy (claimed as due to herbicide exposure). The veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence showing no in-service injuries or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not establish that his hypertension or lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether amyloidosis was caused by exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's spouse's claim for special monthly dependency and indemnity compensation due to her need for aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claims for service connection for residuals of a right elbow injury and residuals of a right ankle injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a bilateral knee disorder, as well as his petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, which the Board accepted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, asthma, right hip and right ankle disorders. The veteran was also denied increased evaluations for left and right shin splints as well as an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His DDD, status post laminectomy, was rated at 40 percent; his coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent; and his hypertension was rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for pension with special monthly pension benefits was denied due to his income exceeding the maximum annual limit set by law.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension (claimed as secondary to PTSD), and sleep apnea (claimed as secondary to PTSD). The ratings assigned are noncompensable.

The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the veteran's claimed conditions and his service, including exposure to asbestos. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of the appropriate rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. The heart disorder, including hypertension, is presumed incurred in service. Cerebrovascular disease with left hemiparesis is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for progressive weakness in both arms due to injury remains pending as it was not addressed under the service connection theory.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have established service connection for heart disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The issues of psychiatric disability and flat feet are pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's hypertension does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings did not consistently meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's hypertension did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings were within the range for a 10 percent evaluation.