Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current level of functional impairment due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need of regular aid and attendance is granted, as he meets the criteria due to his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left eye cataract, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service or any service-connected disability.,There is no medical opinion linking the Veteran's current diagnoses to his military service.

The Veteran's cold injuries to the hands and feet, as well as his hypertension, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease status post stent placement and angioplasty, were all found to be related to service. The Board granted these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, multiple joint osteoarthritis, and left shoulder osteoarthritis are not linked to service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's kidney cancer was diagnosed in 2003 and there is no evidence of it during service. The claim for hypertension has not been resolved as the condition did not manifest within one year after service.,Further examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disability (PTSD), and skin disorder of the feet are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints and hypertension were not rated higher than noncompensable or 10 percent, respectively. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for shin splints or a higher rating for hypertension.

The Veteran has been objectively shown to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another individual, warranting special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and enlarged heart were not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, did not have onset during his active service, and are not otherwise related to his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as his blood pressure readings have never consistently been predominantly 100 or more in diastolic pressure, or 160 or more in systolic pressure. The Veteran was placed on medication in January 1993 and has remained under continuous medication since then.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for hypertension, as it is not new and material.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the current diagnosis of hypertension and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, with diabetic retinopathy and hypertension is rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are remanded for additional development as the VA examinations were inadequate. The Veteran also has a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and hypertension. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his active military service.

The Veteran claims service connection for hypertension, which pre-existed his period of active military service from March 2003 to March 2004. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and review of medical records to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing hypertension was aggravated during this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart conditions, other than prolapsed mitral valve, are not related to his service, specifically rheumatic fever. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's coronary artery disease or hypertension is due to his in-service rheumatic fever.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records from before 2000 and after May 2007. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered.