Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension, bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus with bunion (right foot), and chondromalacia patella of both knees. The veteran was not granted any new disability ratings or service connection.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension were denied, while his right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The left lower extremity radiculopathy claim is pending with a current rating of 10%.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the eligibility criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by military service and is not secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed substantially or materially to cause by service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring specially adapted housing.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a hiatal hernia associated with his active military duty and denies service connection for this condition. The veteran's hypertension is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, but the criteria for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent are not met.

The Board has ordered remand due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the secondary service connection claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and chronic renal failure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the veteran did not have actual exposure to herbicides in Vietnam or evidence of chronic conditions within one year post-service. The claim was also not granted on a direct basis due to lack of medical evidence linking current diagnoses to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that were incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied all his claims for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The Board agreed with this determination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not characterized by diastolic blood pressure of predominantly 110 or more, or systolic blood pressure of predominantly 200 or more. Therefore, the current 10 percent disability rating for hypertension remains appropriate.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including hiatal hernia, and hypertension, as both conditions are not shown to be related to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and no new evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for left and right knee disabilities or bronchitis.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of evidence linking the cause of death to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's essential hypertension does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as her blood pressure readings have not predominantly been at or above the levels required for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was incurred in service or is proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus. As a result, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, heart disease, hypertension, and emphysema as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for atrial septic defect with right bundle branch and increased the rating to 30 percent, effective from November 1, 2001. The decision also addressed an increase in rating for pulmonary hypertension as part of this condition.