Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board found no service connection for the cause of death and denied both the claim for accrued benefits. The veteran's cause of death was undetermined, with hypertension being his only diagnosed condition at the time of his death.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the interphalangeal joints of the right index finger, finding that it is likely related to in-service injuries. Service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence linking it to active military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension that he believes was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined additional development is needed, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between the veteran's hypertension and his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate disorder and hypertension due to potential issues with evidence, medical opinions, and further development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notice. The issues include reopening claims of service connection for back injury, neck injury, and hypertension, as well as evaluating PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension with elevated cholesterol was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have occurred during service. The evidence did not show a compensable manifestation of hypertension within one year after separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and hypertension, materially contributed to his death from myocardial infarction. The Board finds that the appellant is entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation.

The Board has expanded the issue to include headaches secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, as well as medications prescribed for these conditions. The claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records from a private physician.

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

The veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, a compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the left great toe, and service connection for gout to bilateral great toes are currently on appeal. The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is necessary.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for essential hypertension with cardiac distress, avitaminosis, a kidney condition with urinary tract infection and nocturnal enuresis, and general debility with insomnia and headaches. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between these conditions and his period of service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral venous insufficiency, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Huntington's chorea and hypertension with idiopathic cardiomyopathy, finding no evidence to support these conditions as being related to herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary hypertension and an increased rating for submandibular lymphangitis, finding no evidence of a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, myocardial infarction, and coronary artery bypass surgery. The RO previously denied this claim in September 1994 on the basis that there was no evidence of onset within one year of discharge from service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the origin of the veteran's hypertension, which may be related to military service or pre-existed it.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 3, 1994 for special monthly pension at the housebound rate. The earliest evidence suggesting entitlement to this benefit was a letter from the veteran received by the RO on June 3, 1994.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.