Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran does not have hypertension, heart disability, circulatory disability or any residuals of a cold injury that are the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's multiple health conditions, including bradycardia, coronary artery disease, hypertension, aortic valve replacement, joint disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and knee joint replacements, severe congestive heart failure, Alzheimer's with agitation features and dementia, render him in need of aid and attendance of another person and housebound. As such, the veteran is granted special monthly pension based upon the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the cause of death (probable heart attack) was not related to any service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, and depression. The claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The claim for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence showing a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The claim for reopening the depression claim was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne, did not have skin disability at discharge from service, and his Graves' disease was not manifest in service. The hypertension was first evident many years after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back, respiratory, and hypertension disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease with borderline cardiac enlargement and complete atrioventricular block and pacemaker implantation, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the initial 10 percent rating for hypertension is proper and maintained.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and eligibility for dependent's educational assistance, finding that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disability or due to tobacco use during service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hiatal hernia and remanded it to the RO for additional development. The claims for major depression, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, headaches, memory loss, brain hemorrhage, fatigue, and body muscle pain are all pending.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension is likely due to disease or injury incurred in service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active service or a period of active duty for training. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted subsequent to the October 1980 decision, which denied service connection for hypertension, is not new and material. Therefore, the claim of reopening the previously denied hypertension service connection issue is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, hypertension, and a back disorder in October 1987 and June 1990. The decisions are final as to these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hypertension does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent from December 16, 1999, and in excess of 20 percent from April 27, 2000.