Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and considering all evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for arterial hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his right ankle disability and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless as to require such assistance.

The Board finds that the evidence is consistent with the veteran's contentions that his currently diagnosed hypertension was incurred during active military service and grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction and coronary bypass graft, finding that these conditions did not have their onset during active service or within one year after separation from service, or result from disease or injury in service. The Board also found that they were not caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's interstitial lung disease, which is secondary to asbestosis, meets the criteria for a rating of 100 percent under VA regulations.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The claims for bilateral tinnitus and hypertension were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VCAA notification and will provide a proper VCAA notification letter.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in May 1992. The Board held that the denial was due to clear and unmistakable error, and established service connection for hypertension and heart disease effective September 1991. Accrued benefits were paid from September 1, 1997, through August 1, 1999.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hiatus hernia with reflux and vascular calcification of abdomen, urethritis, squamous papilloma (claimed as nose cancer), headaches, hemorrhoids, ankle and leg weakness, neck pain, hypertension, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and multiple cancers. However, the claims are not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident thereof.

The veteran's hypertension claim is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination. His increased rating for chondromalacia patella of the left knee remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension and central vein occlusion left eye 20/70, finding that the evidence did not warrant ratings higher than the current 10 percent assigned.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her disabilities, which do not render her unable to care for most of her daily needs without requiring A&A.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of prostate disorder, hypertension, heart disease, or soft tissue sarcoma. The claim for service connection for broncho/lung disease is pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death, accrued benefits, and basic eligibility for non-service-connected death pension due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between her husband's military service and his death.

The Board found no evidence of a current respiratory disorder, and thus denied service connection for acute respiratory disease.,There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current hypertension to his military service. The Board also noted that the diagnosis was not made until more than 15 years after separation from service.

The Board found that the veteran's service in Vietnam was not established, leading to a clear and unmistakable error in granting presumptive service connection for his disabilities. The severance of these conditions is upheld.