Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board denied all claims, including the request for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions. The decision is final as no appeal was filed within one year of the denial of hypertension.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability and remanded all issues to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA clinic records and scheduling orthopedic and audiologic examinations.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to unclear medical evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the current severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions and determining whether TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for hypertension, and thus the application to reopen the claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the veteran's current hypertension is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, eligibility for Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits, and entitlement to total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board found that neither the veteran's service-connected left leg disability nor any other disease or injury of service origin contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension and residuals of recurrent cerebrovascular accident were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may these disorders be presumed to have been incurred in active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and a chronic bilateral knee disability are granted. The claim to reopen a previously denied skin disorder is also granted.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 60 percent disability rating for hypertension and an increased disability rating for his left ankle sprain.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of gout, and the cardiovascular and back conditions are not addressed in detail.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by totally incapacitating symptoms resulting in virtual isolation in the community, disturbed thought or behavioral processes associated with almost all daily activities, and the demonstrated inability to obtain or retain employment. The Board has determined that a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is warranted.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of sarcoidosis, service connection for hypertension, and PTSD are being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran is competent for VA benefits purposes and restored his competency status.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions due to exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and hypertension, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to her period of active duty. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a hernia was withdrawn by the veteran.

The veteran's increased rating claim for hypertension was denied, and his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied. The case is remanded to issue a statement of the case on these issues.