Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure with swelling and breathing problems (claimed as heart and respiratory problems), and diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The right knee and left knee disorders were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 24, 2001 for his nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to a lack of evidence showing permanent and total disability prior to that date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and hypertension, as well as earlier effective dates for the assignment of a 60 percent rating for bronchial asthma and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, attributing it to coronary thrombosis. The effective date is set at June 11, 1982, based on new and material evidence submitted by the appellant.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or a disorder manifested by dizziness and weakness, related to service. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for supraventricular tachycardia and increased the disability rating for hypertension to 10 percent. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease, increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the back, and increased evaluations for glaucoma are pending.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease, status post CABG, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that there was no evidence of hypertension during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no current disability was linked to active service or the first year after service.

The veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to conflicting information regarding her dates and nature of service. Further clarification is needed before the Board can make a determination.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied increased ratings for right shoulder bursitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, and hypertension. The veteran's service-connected conditions are currently rated 20% for right shoulder bursitis, 10% each for right and left knee disabilities, and 10% for hypertension.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for polymyositis, hypertension, and a left eye disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and vertigo, as well as his attempts to reopen claims for cataracts, burns on the left side of the face, anxiety with insomnia, hypertension with cardiac distress, and a kidney disorder. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to any service-connected condition, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.