Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for hypertension with a pacemaker implant and history of coronary artery disease from August 26, 1996 through August 11, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including obtaining medical opinions on the onset of hypertension and coronary artery disease, scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected low back disability, and considering all relevant rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, valvular heart disease, and a psychiatric disability on the grounds that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and residuals of a tonsillectomy due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities resulting from these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a disability in service or within one year post-service discharge. The Board also noted that any opinion relating the current diagnosis to service would be speculative.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric, left ankle, left foot, right foot, low back, and neck conditions. The claim of service connection for a hernia was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim of service connection for hypertension was reopened based on new evidence showing current hypertension in active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and skin rash are not due to service or any other event, injury, or illness. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of its onset in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that hypertension is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a right great toe fracture, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's hypertension to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The veteran's death was caused by pneumonia due to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) as a result of coronary artery disease (CAD). The VA medical treatment from January to March 2000 did not cause or contribute substantially to the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not directly related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension, nosebleeds (epistaxis), and a bilateral foot disorder. The veteran's current conditions are presumed to have developed post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an initial compensable evaluation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 1, 2001. The Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hypertension does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it is currently manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly less than 110 and systolic pressure of predominantly less than 200, requiring continuous medication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not worsen during his military service and there is no evidence of a nexus to service in post-service records.

The Board is unable to proceed with a decision on the service connection claim for diabetes mellitus and its residuals due to incomplete records, specifically the lack of service medical records and personnel/administrative records. The case is REMANDED to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus and TDIU were denied, while the claim for reimbursement of ambulance costs was referred to the RO.