Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for acid reflux, heart disability (including coronary artery disease), hypertension, and IBS as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension due to a withdrawal request from the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, alopecia (loss of hair under the arms), chronic fatigue, and loss of equilibrium. The veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertension and aortic root dilation status post myocardial infarction from March 1, 1998 to April 3, 2002. The claim for increased rating for actinic keratoses with the residuals of basal cell carcinoma was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% evaluation for service-connected hypertension, finding that the earliest communication from the veteran following the grant of service connection in March 1978 was his June 21, 2001 claim for an increased rating. The effective date is set at June 21, 2001.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and arthritis, but found new and material evidence to reopen claims for residuals of injury to the right great toe and pancreatitis. The veteran's mixed connective tissue disease is not considered a skin condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including notification of the need to submit new and material evidence in support of her appeal.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and major depressive disorder, including issues of service connection and initial disability rating. The RO must ensure that all notification and development required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 is completed.

The RO has denied service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, hypertension, nonspecific urethritis, and prostate disorders. The veteran is requesting a videoconference hearing to address these issues.

The VA granted service connection for hypertension and assigned a noncompensable evaluation, which was later increased to 10 percent. The veteran disagreed with the initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a scar from an excision of a cyst on the right thigh. The other conditions and issues were all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis and hypertension, finding that both conditions are secondary to the veteran's PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and hypertension, finding that the veteran's conditions existed prior to his active duty but were aggravated during service. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his hearing preference and further development.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, sinusitis, and right foot fracture were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure are also being considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support an association between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability, positive tuberculosis test, gastrointestinal disability, and genitourinary disability. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or link these conditions to military service.