Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of hypertension or renal disease during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for hypertension and renal disease have been denied.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for various service-connected disabilities and the award of a total rating based on individual unemployability. The case must be remanded to allow for proper VCAA notice, issuance of a Statement of the Case, and readjudication.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for hypertension, as diastolic blood pressure readings did not consistently reach or exceed 120. For the hearing loss claim, the Board noted that an additional VA examination was needed due to the veteran's assertion about the accuracy of his most recent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, hepatitis C, and splenomegaly did not develop due to or were not made worse by the April 1990 VA parathyroid surgery or associated VA hospitalization, testing, and treatment.

The Board has granted increased ratings for major depressive disorder and hypertension, but denied an increased rating for postoperative left inguinal hernia. The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50% disabling, while his hypertension remains at a noncompensable rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's chronic renal disease with hypertension warrants a 30 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence does not support an increase in this evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development, including a VA cardiology examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's hypertension and heart disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart disorder, including atherosclerotic heart disease and diastolic hypertension, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or related to a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for any of the claimed conditions and denied all claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of evidence. The veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to his cognitive decline, physical disabilities, and inability to care for himself. The claim for service connection for schizophrenic reaction will be remanded for additional development.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels, which he claims are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need to review additional evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his initial compensable rating for history of cardiomegaly with labile hypertension was also denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not presented, and the conditions did not develop due to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected disability and denied the claim for DIC.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, multiple organ failure due to metastatic pancreatic cancer, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated in service, including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's pancreatic cancer was related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for hepatitis-c and hypertension, finding that new evidence supports a link between his current conditions and service. However, further development is needed to address whether hypertension is secondary to hepatitis-c.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence did not show a relationship between his hypertension and his service-connected diabetes.

The veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness are denied. The Board found that the veteran's current cardiovascular disability of hypertension is not related to his military service, and other disabilities are attributed to known diagnoses or unrelated to service.