Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hiatus hernia with reflux and vascular calcification of abdomen, urethritis, squamous papilloma (claimed as nose cancer), headaches, hemorrhoids, ankle and leg weakness, neck pain, hypertension, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and multiple cancers. However, the claims are not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident thereof.

The veteran's hypertension claim is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination. His increased rating for chondromalacia patella of the left knee remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension and central vein occlusion left eye 20/70, finding that the evidence did not warrant ratings higher than the current 10 percent assigned.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her disabilities, which do not render her unable to care for most of her daily needs without requiring A&A.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of prostate disorder, hypertension, heart disease, or soft tissue sarcoma. The claim for service connection for broncho/lung disease is pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death, accrued benefits, and basic eligibility for non-service-connected death pension due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between her husband's military service and his death.

The Board found no evidence of a current respiratory disorder, and thus denied service connection for acute respiratory disease.,There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current hypertension to his military service. The Board also noted that the diagnosis was not made until more than 15 years after separation from service.

The Board found that the veteran's service in Vietnam was not established, leading to a clear and unmistakable error in granting presumptive service connection for his disabilities. The severance of these conditions is upheld.

The veteran's exertional angina, elevated high blood pressure, and right bundle branch block are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not support a finding of active heart disease or significant impairment due to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left shoulder dislocation, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate disorder, kidney disorder, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for payment of medical expenses incurred in December 2003 was timely submitted and the VA has agreed to cover these costs.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not related to service or his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active duty and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The medical evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for increased ratings for hemorrhoidectomy and partial lateral internal sphincterotomy was also denied, with an indication that the condition is secondary to gastrointestinal blood loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and higher initial evaluations for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current hypertension and spine disorders.