Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

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.

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.