Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability decision documents. The case will be reviewed again after these records are obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension, currently evaluated at 10 percent. The evidence showed that while the veteran's blood pressure was not well-controlled with medication and had fluctuated over time, it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Red River Army Depot and providing a VA physician with an opinion regarding the onset of hypertension in service and its relationship to the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of function of the right kidney, kidney stones of the left kidney, abnormal bladder condition, and hypertension due to an undiagnosed illness. The conditions are not considered to be related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hypertension and angina are less than likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, asthma, and sinusitis. The veteran's claim of increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and low back disability, finding new and material evidence. The claim for hypertension is granted as it was incurred in service, while the claim for low back disability remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, residuals of craniotomy with aneurysm, and lung disability are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain SSA records and putative Air Force and Delta Airlines medical records, as well as any clinical records from the veteran's in-patient care at Clark Air Force Base. The RO should then review the claims file and ensure that no other notification or development action is required before making a decision on the claim for service connection for hypertension with heart disease.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for pulmonary and skin disorders based on new evidence. The veteran's prostatitis is rated at 40 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident, which is presumed to be related to his service as a former POW. The Board finds that the cause of death is service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as they have been referred back to the RO.

The Board found that the cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest due to a massive cerebrovascular accident and hypertension, was not caused by or contributed substantially to the appellant's spouse's death during military service. The DIC claim was denied as there is no evidence linking the cause of death to service-connected disability.

The veteran's anxiety disorder was granted service connection in May 1974, but the effective date for this grant has been adjusted to March 31, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, migraines, and memory loss and mood swings as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there was no medical evidence linking the veteran's diagnosed disabilities to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment of hypertension during or within one year after service.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's coronary artery disease or hypertension started during service. The VA examiner did not find any data showing hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis, or portal hypertension could cause coronary artery disease.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service and are not related to nicotine dependence acquired during service.

The veteran's physical disabilities, including chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disease of the cervical spine, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes due to their combined effect on his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the causes of the veteran's death were not related to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.