Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that these conditions are directly related to the veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected anxiety disorder and his hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, cirrhosis of the liver (claimed as liver problems), melanoma of the right leg, and a right leg scar. The claim for hypertension was granted but secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) by reason of needing regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria based on his medical conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the threshold minimum percentage standards and thus cannot receive a TDIU. The AMC noted that there is no evidence showing the veteran has been found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of his service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and service connection for diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current conditions were related to his service-connected hypertension or had onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to service and whether kidney cancer was caused or aggravated by it. The AMC must also consider whether service connection is warranted for kidney cancer on direct and secondary bases.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or Type II Diabetes Mellitus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on the etiology of the hypertension.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his period of service and his current condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service treatment records and to determine if there are any line of duty determinations or active duty for training/inactive duty for training records from his reserve service.

The veteran's claims for service connection on all issues except tinnitus were denied. The maximum disability rating of 10% for tinnitus was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, effective dates, and other issues. The decisions were generally unfavorable to the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, rash and lumps on the body, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and back disorder. The appeal regarding hypertension was withdrawn by the appellant during his hearing.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, sleep apnea, and knee/shoulder disabilities, render him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a back disorder, a bilateral leg disorder, sleep apnea, and depression due to herbicide exposure. The appeals were based on presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's current hypertension and coronary artery disease are not related to service or his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The claims were denied as secondary service connection is not warranted.