Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including an examination and consideration of whether diabetes or its secondary heart condition has aggravated the veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the evidence and information currently of record are sufficient to substantiate the grant of service connection for hypertension as a separate ratable entity. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease with left ventricular hypertrophy is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression, insomnia, a left hip disorder, hypertension (secondary to rheumatic fever), and vision disability (secondary to rheumatic fever). The heart disability claim was also denied. New and material evidence was not received in some cases.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastrointestinal disability, diagnosed as GERD, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The VA examiner found no medical evidence linking the current GERD to the acute gastroenteritis he experienced during service. As for hypertension, there is no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between the condition and service. The veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions regarding service connection for various heart disorders, hypertension, pneumonia residuals, and bronchitis.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed ASHD, MI, three vessel CAD, and hypertension were not incurred in service or due to untreated hypertension. As a result, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a left knee disorder, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for laceration of the right hand and thumb extensor tendon. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary in this case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's claimed status post cerebrovascular accident and hypertension, as well as a need for additional notice under the VCAA.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, finding that there was no clear evidence of aggravation by service or other medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, arthritis of the hips, arthritis of the feet, hypertension, or tinnitus due to lack of a justiciable controversy. The claims for these conditions are dismissed. Service connection is denied for all other issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, osteoarthritis of the ankles and knees, morbid obesity, and diabetes mellitus with neuropathy. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease that would support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that neither hypertension nor COPD were incurred in or aggravated by service, and the veteran's anxiety disorder did not cause his death. The Board concluded that there was no causal connection between the service-connected conditions and the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration due to missing VA medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, bilateral ankle, neck, right and left knee arthritis, and hypertension, were denied as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with a rating of 20 percent effective January 30, 2002. The veteran's hypertension claim remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected labile hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability was incurred in service, and his cardiovascular disability (including hypertension and associated eye damage) is not presumed to have been incurred during service. The kidney disability is addressed separately.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury with an initial rating of 10 percent. Service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure is denied.

The veteran's service-connected conditions were evaluated, and the RO denied higher ratings for hypertension, hemorrhoids, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and asthma. The evaluations remained at 10 percent.