Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease including hypertension and cerebrovascular disease resulting in a stroke were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to any specific environment. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for hypertension cannot be granted.

The veteran's nicotine dependence is not service-connected, and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accident residuals are also not service-connected. The VA does not owe compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and pharyngitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 60 percent, which is required to establish entitlement to non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral circulatory deficit, hypertension, and tonsillitis. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's appeal for pension benefits prior to October 12, 2001 has been withdrawn. The remaining service connection issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's appeals for evaluations of hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, chronic lumbosacral strain, vertigo, and tinnitus were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal on these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension did not manifest during his active military service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his service. The Board also found no presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure or other factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension more likely than not had its onset during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and right ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for PTSD. The RO also declined to reopen a claim for left ear hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a link between the veteran's hypertension and kidney condition during service, or within one year post-service. The RO notified the appellant of the evidence needed to substantiate these claims and obtained all relevant evidence designated by the appellant.

The Board found that the veteran's current left shoulder disability did not originate in or is otherwise related to his active service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability decision documents. The case will be reviewed again after these records are obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension, currently evaluated at 10 percent. The evidence showed that while the veteran's blood pressure was not well-controlled with medication and had fluctuated over time, it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Red River Army Depot and providing a VA physician with an opinion regarding the onset of hypertension in service and its relationship to the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of function of the right kidney, kidney stones of the left kidney, abnormal bladder condition, and hypertension due to an undiagnosed illness. The conditions are not considered to be related to active duty service.