Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were granted. The right foot injury residuals and DDD of the lumbar spine are rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred during service or due to a service-connected disability.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for hypertension and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left eye injury. As all claims were withdrawn, the appeal is dismissed.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied, but he received an initial increased rating of 20% for his herniated disc of the thoracolumbar spine with bilateral chronic sacroiliitis as of December 28, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing that a disability incurred in or aggravated by service caused or contributed significantly to the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher evaluation due to the blood pressure readings predominantly falling within the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's death was caused by renal failure, but his service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to the cause of death. The appellant is also denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to the conditions claimed, or that were incurred during active military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and right knee disability, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The veteran's failure to report for VA examinations prevented the possibility of obtaining such evidence.

The Board finds that the appellant's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke residuals. As such, these conditions are granted as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between these conditions and military service.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 60 percent evaluation effective August 2, 2005. His hypertension was also granted an increased rating to 60 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and special monthly compensation for aid and attendance/housebound status.,The veteran's service-connected conditions include left ankle fracture, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, hypertension, tinnitus, abdominal aortic aneurysm (right iliac aneurysm, left iliac aneurysm), and bilateral hearing loss. The maximum schedular evaluation for his left ankle fracture is 20 percent.,The veteran's combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is 40 percent, which does not meet the percentage requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature of his disabilities, their etiology, and whether any additional disability is due to VA care or negligence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and seizure disorder are denied as there is no evidence of recent seizures or blood pressure readings meeting the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence had been received to support the claim.