Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for hypertension or a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for post-operative excision, condyle, right fifth metatarsal callous. His claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and chronic fatigue syndrome have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, and a heart murmur. The decision denied this request.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied because the condition was not considered an emergency and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for his left shoulder disability. The claim for hypertension was previously denied, and new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating it. For the left shoulder disability, the RO found that the current rating of 20% is the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension existed at entry and was not aggravated during service, denying his claim for service connection. The congestive heart failure, eye disorder, and skin condition were also denied as not related to military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic hypertension and granted a 20 percent evaluation for his lumbosacral spine disability. The initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculitis was also granted, as were increased evaluations for weight gain and cushingoid habitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, asbestosis, and a higher rating for tinea pedis with hyperkeratomycosis. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's service-connected PTSD and his current conditions.

The veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for service connection for Charcot's disease, and the RO's rating decisions of November 1976 and April 1981 were found to be correct.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records from various military facilities and in Bamberg, Germany.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, varicose veins, and bilateral cataracts and pseudophakia did not manifest within one year of his separation from service in October 1994. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are more likely unrelated to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, effective from August 6, 1990. The decision also grants service connection for bilateral eye disability as secondary to hypertension and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The VA determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as she can perform daily activities without assistance and does not require permanent confinement to her home.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA physician found no nexus between the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his current hypertension.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year after service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The dental trauma issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination. The veteran's service connection claims are also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The Board also finds that the veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his military service, thus granting service connection for hypertension.

The Board finds no legal entitlement to an effective date earlier than October 1, 2002 for the grant of service connection for hypertension. The earliest effective date is therefore October 1, 2002.

The veteran's claims for increased initial ratings on appeal have been denied. The RO has granted service connection for the disabilities, but did not assign any specific disability rating.

The veteran's claim for a special home adaptation grant was denied as he is already entitled to specially adapted housing under another provision of law.