Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-S1 and hypertension with cardiomegaly are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant, as well as his service connection claims for scabies, superimposed on fungal infection, dyshidrotic eczema, and hypertension. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension do not warrant compensable ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder is not related to his service, and specifically denied secondary service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension are not rated higher than the current 30 percent for the periods prior to November 7, 2005, from January 1, 2006 through July 14, 2008, and from September 1, 2008 through April 10, 2009. The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in full, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of the individual claimants' cases. The Board also found that hypertension, hepatitis C, and a stomach disorder/intestinal blockage were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, while his hypertension is not related to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.,With respect to the coronary artery disease claim, multiple medical opinions indicate that the Veteran's pre-existing extensive coronary artery disease was likely made worse by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, for the hypertension claim, there are conflicting opinions indicating it may not be related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board found no evidence linking the causes of death to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and determine whether service connection can be established for right knee, right ankle, low back disorders, and hypertension.

The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected condition, including his first-degree atrioventricular block and pre-existing COPD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of causation.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as his sole service-connected disability, hypertension, does not render him unemployable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for hypertension, finding no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service. The claim for an earlier effective date for the hypertension rating was also denied.

The Board denied the claim of dependency and indemnity compensation due to a lack of evidence showing that VA medical treatment caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his time in service and his current condition. The Board also found that hypertension could not be presumed due to Agent Orange exposure or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and basal cell carcinoma were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or that exposure to herbicides caused the conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, particularly preventing him from performing the physical acts necessary to engage in employment suitable to his education level and specialized training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for low back disability, hypertension, and urethritis were denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary total rating for his low back disability from January 10, 2005 to April 30, 2005.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to any of his service-connected disabilities.