Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hand disorder, left shoulder impingement, skin rash, diabetes mellitus, sarcoma, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension, finding that his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for his disabilities were denied. His keratoconus was found to be a congenital disorder, not compensable. His hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also noted that his ankle disorders have resulted in no more than moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic Barrett's esophagus, chronic nasopharyngeal cancer, and chronic hypertension as they are not considered to have originated during active service.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension or right hip disability in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and hypertension, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that there was no link between these conditions and military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disease as secondary to his service-connected anxiety reaction, as well as his increased ratings for gunshot wound residuals and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The denial was based on the veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's death was due to service-connected hypertension. However, the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311 as his disability rating had not been at 100% for a continuous period of eight years prior to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and congestive heart failure, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and assigned a 10 percent rating for the deviated nasal septum effective from November 8, 2001.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his treatment records.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has decided that a VA examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's hypertension.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and sleep apnea to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart murmur, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim of reopening a previously denied back injury was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding no evidence linking any current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and addressing service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a link between the veteran's hypertension and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral ankle condition or a bilateral knee condition that was present in service, manifested within one year of service separation, or is otherwise related to service. The claim for hypertension remains pending as it requires further development prior to adjudication.

The Board has reopened the veteran's service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis, gout, and hypertension. The new evidence received since the last final decision supports these claims.