Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was incurred during service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the cause of death to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, hypertension, and sinus disorder are not well-grounded. The veteran's hallux valgus deformity of the right foot is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5280, and her residuals of a tonsillectomy do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, hypertension with diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The RO maintained a 60 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus, a 30 percent evaluation for hypertension, and no separate evaluations were assigned for the peripheral neuropathies.

The veteran's high blood pressure was diagnosed during service and has continued to be a problem since then. The Board finds that the evidence supports this condition as being incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as he is able to perform basic self-care functions without assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection. The veteran's cesarean section scar was found to be a natural result of childbirth and not a medical complication of pregnancy. Her psychiatric residuals from miscarriage were not linked to active duty service. The latex allergy was rated based on its impact on her work as an operating room nurse, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for service connection are well grounded. The evidence suggests a possible link between the veteran's current hypertension and memory loss to his military service, but further examination is needed to confirm this.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Hypertension are not well-grounded, as there is no competent evidence showing a link between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that stress from PTSD aggravates these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, finding that it was not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, headache disorder, hypertension, and left knee disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury leading to these conditions.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board granted increased evaluations of 30 percent for hypertension and bilateral pes planus, both determined to be service-connected under the direct theory.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, stress disorder, and asbestosis. The claim for hypertension was based on direct evidence of a current disability and its relationship to service. The claims for stress disorder and asbestosis were not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status based on her ability to perform daily activities without significant assistance.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being permanently housebound due to lack of substantial confinement to her home or immediate premises by permanent disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for essential hypertension, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted since the last final denial in June 1983.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his limited use of his left upper extremity and right hand, despite having some loss of use in his left lower extremity.