Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings, assigning a 20 percent rating for left upper extremity hemiparesis and left lower extremity hemiparesis as residuals of cerebrovascular accidents.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding records and issues that need further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to her multiple physical conditions, including osteoarthritis and statis myositis. The evidence supports this finding based on medical statements and testimony from the veteran and his grandson.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk without assistance and the lack of structural adaptations needed in his home.

The veteran's hypertension and benign renal cyst were initially granted with non-compensable ratings. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis. The Board also finds that the veteran is entitled to service connection for asbestos-related lung disease incurred in service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's hypertension or low back disability.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss, back injury, neck injury, hypertension, and pulmonary disorder were all found to be related to service. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, including his service-connected anxiety.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of corroborated stressor. The claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension were granted, but the veteran is still seeking a higher rating. His TDIU claim remains pending as his psychiatric disabilities may impact his employability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and heart disease, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The respiratory disorder was also not shown to be related to service. Hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to have been incurred during service.

The Board finds that the veteran's coronary artery disease, which is related to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, warrants service connection. However, there is no evidence linking the veteran's hypertension to his active duty service.

The VA denied increased ratings for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder. For hypertension, the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, which are required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. For the psychiatric disorders, the VA found that symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for hypertension with angina and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's appeal includes claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and new and material evidence. The Board has reopened the claim of heat cramps due to undiagnosed illness but denied all other issues.

The veteran's lower back disability is rated at 60 percent, his right shoulder disability at 20 percent effective the day after discharge from service, and his hypertension remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for BPH, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.