Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and established service connection for hypertension and memory loss. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the veteran during his treatment with a private psychiatrist.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that they preclude him from performing his occupation as a cook, and the occupation is not unsuitable on the basis of his specific employment handicap.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a claim was filed prior to December 13, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, diagnosed during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA), was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and to reopen his claim for a psychiatric disability. The decision found no new and material evidence presented, and concluded that hypertension did not begin during or within one year after military service. The psychiatric disability was also denied as there was no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, hypertension, and thoracic aneurysm were not related to his service in the Persian Gulf War or any other period of active duty. The symptoms are attributed to known clinical diagnoses rather than an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video-conference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection and reopening claims are still pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that there is no probative medical evidence of a left knee disorder, arthritis of the hands, PTSD, heart disorder to include breathing problems, or hypertension in service. Therefore, the veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension have been reopened, but the claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for hepatitis C remains unresolved. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others remain pending.

The veteran's request for a hearing before the Board at a local RO has been granted, and his claims will be remanded to allow for additional development including consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The veteran seeks service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible evaluation (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment, but his arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining pertinent medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for hypertension was denied, and his current claim for an increased rating for hypertensive heart disease from January 15, 1999, is granted. The effective date of the decision is not specified.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 60 percent for status post myocardial infarction with hypertension for the purpose of accrued purposes, but this case is remanded due to procedural issues related to the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a significant change in the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).