Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2008

The veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, but granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the severity of his PTSD.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current chronic skin disorder, hypertension, or cardiovascular disorder. The appeal for service connection on these issues is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further procedural and evidentiary development, including scheduling examinations at the Grand Island VAMC to assess his need for aid and attendance of another person, obtaining recent medical records from the VAMC in Grand Island, providing notice under Dingess/Hartman v. Nicholson, and readjudicating the claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records from Southside Family Medical Center and Sandy River Medical Center.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board is unable to determine the validity of the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and hypertension due to insufficient evidence. The RO should obtain additional medical records, including from his employment physicals, and schedule him for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for hypertension. The veteran did not have a current disability due to military service, and his blood pressure readings were below the threshold for a higher rating under VA criteria.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of all his disabilities, including those not related to willful misconduct.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected condition that caused or contributed to the veteran's death, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, low back pain, and kidney disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus were also denied.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore the claims for service connection for the cause of death, burial benefits, and accrued benefits are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA medical records and providing additional VCAA notice.

The veteran's current conditions, including hypertension, brain seizures, cystitis, multiple joint pains, knee disorder and hemorrhage seizure, are not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim to reopen the prostatitis claim was not granted, as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The maximum schedular rating for schizoaffective disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and potential aggravation of PTSD. The case will be further developed before readjudication.

The Board has determined that there was a pending claim for service connection for hypertension at the time of the veteran's death, and thus the appellant has a valid claim for accrued benefits. The claims of entitlement to service connection for cause of the veteran's death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35 are inextricably intertwined with this pending claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional VA treatment records being associated with the claims file.