Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's non-service connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, allowing him to receive special monthly pension benefits.

The Board found no current chronic disabilities of the hands, head, or neck related to cold injury residuals. The claim of service connection for hypertension was denied because there is insufficient evidence linking it to service-connected cold injury residuals of the feet.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use an electric scooter, walker, or cane as a normal mode of locomotion.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his period of service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's original claims for service connection were not received until March 27, 2003. Therefore, an effective date earlier than March 27, 2000 is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for hypertension or a bilateral eye disorder, including glaucoma. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asbestosis (also claimed as COPD), PTSD, positive TB test, hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbago and sciatica, scoliosis, and skin fungus. However, there is no competent medical evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, hypertension (presumed to be related to diabetes mellitus), and depression. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for hypertension, effective from the date of service connection.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 30, 2002 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not establish that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Board has ordered additional examinations to determine the nature and extent of any essential hypertension or hypertensive cardiovascular disease found to be present, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's service-connected renal colic caused or permanently worsened any essential hypertension or hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The RO should adjudicate the issue in light of all applicable evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids, finding that his depression was not related to military service, his left knee disorder was not secondary to his right knee disability, hypertension was not due to military service, and his hemorrhoids did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, hypertension, and a thyroid condition. The claim for increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus was granted with a 20% disability rating.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 30, 2004 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement with respect to the June 11, 2003 rating decision regarding his PTSD. As such, the determination in that decision is final.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for hypertension due to a lack of adequate medical opinion and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and could not be presumed due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 31, 2003 for the grants of service connection for residuals of cerebrovascular accident in the left upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and atrioventricular block.