Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the veteran did not timely file a Substantive Appeal for his claim of a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of hypertension and service connection for neurological disabilities have been denied. The RO will review the case and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was first manifested during his period of active service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for erectile dysfunction, diabetic neuropathy and documented arterial hypertension, as well as his claim for a higher rate of SMC due to loss of use of a creative organ. The veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was also not granted an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a heart condition and hypertension, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for a heart condition. The Board also found that there is no direct evidence linking the current hypertension to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection were denied as he did not meet the statutory eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of wartime service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is unrelated to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claims, including a VA examination for hypertension and PTSD.

The veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, right leg disability, back disability, coronary artery disease, upper respiratory disorder, and hypertension were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertensive heart disease with hypertension. The veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine whether he has any hypertensive heart disease or hypertension related to service, including complaints of shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, and low blood pressure.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of hypertension and for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Type-II diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. The Board finds that additional cardiovascular examination is needed to determine if her hypertension and other heart problems are related to or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the veteran for purposes of receiving VA death benefits due to a prior valid marriage.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disorder, finding that new and material evidence supports these claims. The evidence indicates that the veteran's pre-existing heart condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled video conference hearing. The claim for service connection will be reconsidered after the hearing is rescheduled.