Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions render him unemployable, and thus grants a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of osteoarthritis of the right knee as secondary to postoperative chondromalacia, left knee with arthritic changes. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension and increased evaluation for postoperative chondromalacia of the left knee are pending.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cardiovascular disabilities and kidney disorder.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to Agent Orange. The VA has not provided adequate information and evidence regarding the nature and extent of the veteran's disability, as well as any relationship between his hypertension and the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Service connection was also granted for hypertension and arthritis of the knees.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of corroboration regarding his exposure to mustard gas.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for intermittent supraventricular tachycardia effective March 20, 2002. The veteran's hypertension was rated at the maximum schedular evaluation (10%) from July 30, 1997 to January 1, 2001 and increased to 30 percent effective March 20, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his service-connected burns substantially contributed to his death. The decision is based on direct service connection and affords the appellant the benefit of doubt.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension had its onset during his second period of service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person meets the criteria for special monthly pension benefits, based on his multiple nonservice-connected disabilities.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a ganglion cyst on her left wrist, crush injuries to her right middle finger, and skin disorders. The RO also denied claims for irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, elevated blood glucose, and hearing loss.

The veteran seeks service connection for hypertension and chronic renal failure, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. He also seeks a separate compensable evaluation for left-sided weakness, status post cerebrovascular accident, which is already service connected. The case must be remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including a heart murmur and hypertension, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's disabilities, including agoraphobia, myofascitis, hypertension, and right inguinal hernia, are not rated as 100% disabling. The evidence does not show that he is permanently housebound due to his disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran does not have hepatitis or a blood disorder, and his peptic ulcer disease is inactive with no current manifestations warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service medical records and a request for Social Security Administration (SSA) records is made.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, entitlement to accrued benefits, and nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to lack of evidence linking any condition to service or qualifying military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an incomplete examination report.