Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2001 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for hypertension. Therefore, this claim may not be reopened.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension with bilateral PVD, and coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected hypertensive heart disease and hypertension do not warrant evaluations in excess of 30 percent or 10 percent, respectively. The evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury to both ears, PTSD, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a current disability in any of these conditions.

The veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension is dismissed as the condition has already been in effect since May 1947.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent effective April 25, 2003. The RO must issue a statement of the case addressing his claims for service connection for hypertension, COPD, asbestosis, and peptic ulcer disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, which was present during service and contributed to his death from myocardial infarction, is service-connected.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his conditions do not include loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision, nor does he have ankylosis of the knees or hips.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, back disorder, headaches (sinus), and sleep disorder. The veteran's PTSD was granted with a 30% evaluation.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal on the issue of whether he should be recognized as a former prisoner of war due to lack of timely substantive appeal. The claims for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease with heart enlargement and ischemia (claimed as beriberi heart disease) and hypertension were also dismissed because there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for high blood pressure and headaches/dizziness, both of which are associated with an undiagnosed illness. The claim for numbness of the lower extremities is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects and new evidence received since the last decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his service-connected disability and other nonservice-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent, and the earliest effective date was May 27, 1993.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for left ear hearing loss. The claims for residuals of a CVA, hypertension, and PTSD are also granted.

The Board has determined that a timely notice of disagreement was not submitted within one year following the July 2000 rating decision, and thus the claim is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and PTSD, as well as his increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis, a third degree burn scar of the left ankle, and a scar of the right knee. The evidence received since the October 1961 rating decision was found to be cumulative or immaterial.

The Board has denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.