Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for Special Monthly Pension (SMP) based on needing regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to his multiple disabilities.,The veteran had hypertension, heart problems, hearing loss, depression, diabetes, and arthritis. However, he did not have a single disability rated at 100% that would meet the requirement for SMP based on need for A&A.

The Board denied service connection for health care under Chapter 17 for a right wrist injury, foot disorder, hypertension, and low back injury due to the appellant's discharge from service being a result of willful and persistent misconduct.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and emphysema. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran has hypertension and whether it is at least as likely as not that it had its onset during service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for membranous glomerulopathy with hypertension prior to December 20, 1995.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and procedural issues.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private medical records, as well as a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that the veteran's organic heart disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and neither disorder was presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his cardiovascular diseases to his military service.

The veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and congestive heart failure, is determined to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin cancer of the ear and neck, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, hyperlipidemia, and Type II Diabetes Mellitus, all presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link between his service and these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a cardiovascular disorder other than hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for chronic allergic rhinosinusitis from February 11, 2003. The evaluations for shin splints of the right and left legs remain at 10 percent each. The noncompensable evaluations for herpes simplex and hypertension are maintained.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease are currently rated at 10 percent, while his disability of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent prior to September 26, 2003. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the current level of disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, hypertension, anemia, dizziness, general weakness, residuals of malaria, and kidney disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current disabilities for hypertension, high frequency hearing loss in the right ear, tinnitus, or a right knee disability. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to address whether the veteran's service-connected DM caused or aggravated his erectile dysfunction and/or hypertension.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in Huntington, West Virginia.