Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with hypertension due to exposure to Agent Orange as there was no evidence of Vietnam service and thus no presumption of herbicide exposure applies. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish his own exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cardiovascular disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained for the Veteran's hypertension, as these records may provide relevant information regarding his service connection claim. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's diastolic blood pressure was predominantly less than 120 during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Guillain-Barre syndrome and hypertension, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for Guillain-Barre syndrome. The Board also found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnoses of Guillain-Barre syndrome and hypertension and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and did not reopen the claim for hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and providing Vazquez-Flores compliant notice.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being permanently housebound, finding that her health disorders do not meet the criteria for SMP.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special monthly pension by reason of being in need of aid and attendance or on account of being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, congestive heart failure, and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hypertension is related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are not rated higher than the current evaluations due to the severity of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and initial compensable evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to conflicting opinions in the examination reports, unclear rationale provided by the examiner, and clarification needed on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and testicular cancer. The Veteran did not have these conditions attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of vitiligo and left shoulder and arm disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arrhythmia is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a Compensation and Pension examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition and found that new and material evidence had been received. The Board also determined that the Veteran's preexisting right knee condition was aggravated during his active duty, and thus service connection is granted. For hypertension, the Board found no in-service event or disease, and concluded that it did not manifest within one year of separation from service, nor is there any link to service-connected diabetes mellitus.