Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his second period of service. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin conditions, including recurrent dermatitis and subcutaneous cysts, are related to service. The Veteran also has a history of heat cramps and respiratory issues which are linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for daily personal needs without regular assistance from others or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are not service-connected as they did not develop during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that tinnitus, injuries to Cranial Nerves II, III, and X, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. Hyperthyroidism was not shown to be related to a service-connected disability or due to VA medical treatment. Atrial fibrillation was also not shown to be related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD as likely as not aggravated his diagnosed CAD and hypertension conditions, warranting service connection for both.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his claimed conditions are related to his active duty or to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, hypertension, and cerebral vascular accident are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened, but service connection was not established. His claims for increased ratings for his low back injury and radiculopathies were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, a heart disorder, hypertension, and bilateral knee disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these conditions.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is not entitled to burial benefits or reimbursement for transportation costs as the funeral bill had not been paid in full.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable.,There is no evidence of a current right knee disability.,There is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability.,There is no evidence of a current right lung disability.,There is no evidence of a current cervical spine disability.,There is no evidence of a current thoracic spine disability.,The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.,There is no evidence of residuals of burst left ear drum other than hearing loss.,PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,A missing partial spinal cord and congenital tethered cord syndrome were not incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions were not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy did not begin during active service or ACDUTRA. Hypertension was not incurred in service, but may have been aggravated by service. The Veteran does not have a vision disorder that is related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent rhinitis and hypertension are service-connected, with no effective date provided as they were not diagnosed during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development of evidence.