Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis, but denied the claims for service connection for a neurological disability of the right arm and hypertension. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for polycystic kidney disease with associated hypertension and maxillary sinusitis, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening the claim, and concluding that the preexisting condition worsened during service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, which required daily medication for control, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating beyond 10 percent from February 27, 1992 to August 18, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disability secondary to his service-connected anxiety reaction, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board denied an increase in a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that there were no blood pressure readings showing diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and there was no objective evidence of an in-service stressor. The veteran's PTSD diagnosis is based on his own statements, which are not credible or sufficient to establish service connection. For hypertension, the claim was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow bursitis and epicondylitis, as well as increased ratings for his L4-5 herniated nucleus pulposus with L5-S1 bulging disc and degenerative joint disease, dysthymia, and residuals of a right knee meniscal tear. The veteran's claims were not withdrawn.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder due to an undiagnosed illness, and tremors due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a genitourinary disability manifested by frequent urination from appellate review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his claim for hypertension was denied as new and material evidence was not received. The low back disability claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than November 18, 1999 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The skin disability claim is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during his active duty periods.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain and hypertension are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including VA and private treatment records. The case will be readjudicated under the revised criteria for evaluating diseases and injuries of the spine effective September 26, 2003.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition were denied by the RO. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for compensable ratings or service connection based on direct evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, kidney stones, and gout as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of essential hypertension with retinopathy and ocular hypertension is being remanded. Additionally, the issues of service connection for non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and glaucoma are inextricably intertwined with the current issue and require further examination.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the veteran's postoperative residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, and has also granted service connection for obesity secondary to this condition. The effective date is set as November 9, 1992.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, asthma due to tobacco use or nicotine dependence, heart disease including hypertension secondary to tobacco use or nicotine dependence, and nicotine dependence. The veteran's trichophytosis of the feet was granted a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that PTSD aggravated the veteran's hypertension.