Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further readjudication due to issues related to service connection and rating of residuals of a fractured right ankle.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) and hypertension, finding that these conditions are secondary to his own alcohol abuse.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for back disability and remanded it for further development. The claims of service connection for hypertension and renal disability are also being remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent assigned for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and residuals of an excision of a right thigh cyst. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence being submitted. The appellant is now entitled to a determination on whether he should be granted service connection.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal regarding his right ankle disorder due to withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for hypertension, right ear hearing loss, and left ankle disorder were not reopened as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and development of evidence, including obtaining medical records, verifying stressors, and providing VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by diarrhea in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pleurisy and hypertension, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his period of service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her spouse's death and entitlement to accrued benefits due to lack of evidence within one year of discharge from service, and because she filed her claim outside the one-year deadline.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in service due to noise exposure. The veteran's claims of hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy with non-specific T-wave changes have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for disability of the joints, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's active duty military service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, pelvic inflammatory disease, a stomach disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that hypertension is service-connected, and arthritis of the lumbar spine, knees, elbows, hands, hips, and left foot are also service-connected.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, left eye disability, skin disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the shoulders, knees, and right hip. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's chest disability, including hypertension and chest pain, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not show a connection between the veteran's current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and opinions on whether the veteran's current symptoms are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate due to his inability to require regular assistance from others, his ability to manage daily activities independently, and his lack of substantial confinement to his dwelling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic bronchitis, and a skin condition presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The claim for increased evaluation of PTSD was remanded.