Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, as they do not render him helpless or require assistance with daily activities.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor is it due to or otherwise the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the medical evidence did not show hypertension in service or within a year after service, and concluded that it was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from congestive heart failure and hypertension.

The veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which was first diagnosed in October 1998. The RO has requested additional service medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current hypertension began during his period of active service or is related to any incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU. The denial was based on the evidence showing that the conditions existed prior to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disorder and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee arthritis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and any asbestos-related disease.

The Board has granted service connection for liver disease, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus associated with Type II diabetes mellitus. The evaluations are all rated at 20 percent from August 6, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed skin disorder, hypertension, arthritis/degenerative joint disease, rhinosinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, dizzy spells, and nervous disorders (insomnia, loss of memory, major depression) due to mustard gas exposure as there is no competent evidence verifying full-body exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of a prior informal or formal claim before September 10, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are service-connected, with hypertension having its onset during service. The veteran's coronary artery disease is considered secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including eye disorders, respiratory issues, hypertension, skin disorders, and fatigue. The decision did not specify the basis for denial.

The veteran's bladder cancer and prostate cancer are not service-connected as they did not develop during his active duty or within one year of separation. The hypertension was not present during service.,Bladder cancer is not a condition presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicides, and thus cannot be granted service connection based on that presumption.

The veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically his panic disorder and hypertension, render him unemployable and thus meet the schedular requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is denied. The RO will obtain and associate with the claims file any outstanding private medical records from his treating physician to determine if there has been a worsening of his hypertension and hand condition.

The veteran's claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA medical examination.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 10 percent for hypertension with retinal arteriosclerotic vascular disease and denied any increase in the rating for folliculitis barbae and eczema.