Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include right below the knee amputation associated with hypertension with atrial fibrillation and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and a need for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the veteran for an examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension has been submitted. The veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to determine whether he has hypertension, and if so, its likely etiology.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his hypertensive heart disease with hypertension and diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records from the Philadelphia VAMC.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the arms, and right ankle disorder as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, chronic renal insufficiency, and peripheral neuropathy, are not related to his military service or service-connected diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims for secondary service connection have been denied.

The veteran's hypertension and gastrointestinal disability have been rated, but the claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence of severe symptoms or continuous moderate manifestations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, which was incurred in service and contributed to his death from cardiac arrest, meets the criteria for service connection. The benefit of doubt is applied, granting service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia residuals, and atrophy of the right testicle.

The Board denied increased ratings for service-connected left knee meniscectomy and hypertension, finding that the veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of the maximum rating authorized.,Evidence submitted since the April 2002 denial did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for Hepatitis C and Hypertension, but did raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for PTSD.,The veteran's claim for service connection for Arthritis of the right knee was denied as evidence submitted since the April 2002 denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Evidence submitted since the December 2002 Board decision related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and new VCAA requirements, including notice of the need for evidence related to service-connected disabilities and any condition not yet service connected.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the opinions provided by the VA physician regarding whether hypertension and pancreatitis are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no legal basis to grant an increased rating for tinnitus, as it is already at the maximum schedular evaluation. For hypertension, the evidence did not establish that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service, given the presumption of soundness upon entry into service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and secondary service connection for hypertension and kidney disease. The issue of service connection for kidney disease is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinea pedis, impotence, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. The decision also found that severance of service connection for hypertension was not proper.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an updated VA examination addressing whether there is a causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected diabetes and his claimed cardiovascular disease, specifically hypertension. The RO must also obtain all relevant treatment records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability, dry eyes with history of inner canthus papilloma of the left eye, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.