Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, degenerative changes consistent with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or gout of the left wrist, peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and his claim for a TDIU. The veteran's hypertension is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, and it is controlled through continuous use of prescribed medication. However, the Board has found that he is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's death was caused by a hemorrhagic infarct of the brain, which is not service-connected. The issues related to hypertension and cerebrovascular accident are also not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, and residuals of toe fractures. The claims for higher initial ratings for knee disabilities (left knee status-post meniscectomy with chondromalacia of the patella, right knee strain with chondromalacia of the patella) and ankle sprains were also denied. The claim for a compensable initial evaluation for hypertension was not addressed as it is not related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The veteran needs to undergo a VA examination and provide any additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted a 30 percent initial disability rating. The veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been incurred in active military service.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking his cardiovascular issues, renal failure, and hypertension to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that these conditions are not related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not related to his service-connected nephrolithiasis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and kidney disorder as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the veteran's pre-existing hypertension was present on entry into service and increased in severity during service. Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current skin disorder, acid reflux disease, and hypertension to his military service or Agent Orange exposure. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bullet wound to his right foot and hypertension, finding no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, finding that his pre-existing hypertension did not increase in severity during service and was therefore not aggravated.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA medical records and the veteran's medical records from care givers identified by the appellant. The claims folder should be referred to an appropriate specialist for opinions on whether cardiovascular disease and glioblastoma multiforme were incurred or aggravated in service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and headaches associated with hypertension, do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or TDIU. The Board denied his claims as there is no evidence of unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year of service discharge and there were no service medical records to support a connection. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the previous final decision in June 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.