Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for chronic hypertension and a chronic headache disorder. Service connection is denied for left ear hearing loss disability, chronic tinnitus, and a chronic gastrointestinal disorder to include gastroenteritis and gastritis.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing the veteran with VCAA notice.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating due to the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that it likely prevents him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as secondary to PTSD and an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's PTSD aggravated his irritable bowel syndrome.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including a total abdominal hysterectomy, bladder disability, low back disability, hypertension, Raynaud's disease, hallux valgus of the right foot, and hemorrhoids. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records and review the claims on appeal, with particular attention given to the new rating criteria for spine conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for hypertension and service connection for residuals of a stab wound to the left temple, finding that there was no evidence supporting these claims.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been incurred therein, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected recurrent back strain.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, but the assigned disability ratings are not as favorable as requested. The initial compensable ratings were denied in several cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for folliculitis due to his failure to report for a VA examination. The case is remanded to obtain medical records of hypertension treatment and to determine whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound has been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The RO is instructed to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration, schedule a VA aid and attendance/housebound examination, and contact private medical providers who completed VA Forms 21-2680.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen some of the previously denied claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and incurrence of these diseases may not be presumed. The right eye disorder and/or residuals of a right eye injury are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of his scleroderma. The claims will be adjudicated again after this additional development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hypertension, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Board found that the veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but granted service connection for hypertension. Service connection for asbestosis is not established.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim has been remanded due to the need for further examination and development of evidence.