Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for infectious hepatitis and pulmonary disorders, finding new and material evidence. However, it denied these claims as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for additional information about the veteran's health.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete consideration of the veteran's claims, including a need for medical opinions and issuance of an SOC.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss, hypertension, and COPD were not incurred or aggravated by service. The gaps in time between discharge from active duty and the onset of these conditions made it unlikely they are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a back disability, hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD, a heart condition as secondary to service-connected PTSD, and a bilateral knee disability, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The initial rating for PTSD remains unchanged.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is unrelated to presumed herbicide exposure. The Board also determined that hypertension is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and his above the knee amputation of the right lower extremity has been granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected digestive disability, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death (arteriosclerotic heart disease) was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and gunshot wounds.

The veteran's disabilities, including right hip disability and diabetes, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes due to their combined rating of 40 percent. The RO assigned ratings based on each individual condition under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it, finding that there is at least a 50% probability that current hypertension began during service.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee internal derangement existed prior to service but was not aggravated by service. Service connection for this condition is granted. However, hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The case is REMANDED to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, body and leg cramps, or hypertension. The claims are therefore denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 0 percent for hypertension, finding that her diastolic pressure was not predominantly 100 or more and her systolic pressure was not predominantly 160 or more since the effective date.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination if necessary. The veteran's appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The VA denied a compensable rating for hypertension, finding that the veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension warrants a noncompensable evaluation, but with consideration of the possibility of staged ratings. The evidence shows some history of diastolic readings of 100 or more and continuous use of medication, suggesting worsening of the condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include service connection, increased ratings for back disorder and hypertension with kidney dysfunction.