Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The VA denied an increased disability evaluation for hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy, effective as of December 14, 1995, but prior to January 12, 1998, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old criteria for hypertensive heart disease and hypertensive vascular disease.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his non-service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease by a degree of at least 10 percent, warranting the assignment of a 10% disability rating for those conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his coronary artery disease and right metatarsal fractures, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current psychiatric, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular conditions to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered service-connected due to lack of medical evidence connecting it to service. Residuals from colon cancer surgery and irritable bowel syndrome are also not linked to service. Hypertension was not shown to be related to service either.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and rated at 50 percent prior to April 27, 2001, and at 70 percent thereafter. The veteran's tinnitus was also granted service connection with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and service connection for numbness of the right leg. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding that the veteran's bronchial asthma aggravated these conditions.

The Board denied all service connection claims for various conditions, finding that none of the claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and gastrointestinal disorder were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including seeking additional service medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected residuals of hepatitis C. The appeal is currently pending due to this remand.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and dizziness were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's hypertension and the reopening of his claim for service connection for residuals of a left eye injury are both being remanded due to incomplete or outdated evidence.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his statement withdrawing the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any inservice cold injury. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder is pending. The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands, claimed as swelling of the hands, remains pending. The claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted based on new and material evidence submitted by the veteran. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes, chest pain, gouty arthritis, residuals of a head injury, and hypertension were all incurred during his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The RO will then re-adjudicate the claims under the appropriate rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bruxism and hypertension are secondary to his service-connected PTSD, warranting a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service onset or exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection have been denied.