Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the assignment of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a higher rating for GERD, finding no evidence of current hypertension or aggravation of GERD by Elavil. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease was granted.

The Board has determined that there is competent evidence linking the veteran's hypertension and heart condition to his service-connected PTSD, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for hypertension, service connection for PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied. The claim for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, arthritis of the right knee, shoulder and bicep disorders, prostate disorder, rib injury, respiratory disorder, and macular cyst. The reasons given are that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's hypertension, hemorrhoids (anal fissures), and right ankle injury were all found to be related to his military service. He is now rated at 10 percent for his sinus disability.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied as he is not legally blind or bedridden, nor does he have any other condition that requires him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete information and evidence, including a need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's PTSD claim is being considered for an increased rating, while his hypertension claim requires clarification on whether it was incurred during service or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's diabetes is service-connected due to exposure in Vietnam, and the Board finds hypertension and a psychiatric disorder are related to his diabetes.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's current hypertension, cardiovascular disability, and thyroid disability are not related to his active military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, special adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, and TDIU effective date prior to April 1, 1999 is denied as he does not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, dizziness, impairment of vision, and hypertension due to undiagnosed illness. The veteran's tinnitus was assigned a 10% disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the February 1969 reduction of his rating. The effective date for a 10 percent rating for hypertension was also denied as it did not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing notice of new and material evidence requirements, obtaining additional medical records, and addressing the veteran's claims for increased PTSD evaluation and individual unemployability.