Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for CAD with residuals of MI due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Service connection for hypertension is denied as secondary to diabetes mellitus Type II, as the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hypertension was proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for aortic insufficiency secondary to dilation of the aortic root as secondary to his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes contributed to his development of hypertension, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if hypertension is secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II or PTSD.

The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether the Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are related to service, but denied the claims due to lack of direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange/herbicides, which supports his claim for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type has been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Veteran is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 for diabetes mellitus, which was a result of VA treatment. The Board finds that the Veteran's renal disease and coronary artery disease are secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The low back disability claim was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea syndrome and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or retain substantially gainful employment. However, the evidence does not indicate that his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to prevent him from obtaining such employment.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of any higher evaluation based on the severity or impact of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder, and hypertension. The issues are related to whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected pansinusitis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability has been remanded for further action.,The Veteran's PTSD rating remains at 70 percent, but his claims for other disabilities are being reviewed.,Service connection for hypertension is secondary to PTSD. The issue of service connection for the left knee and skin condition will be addressed as well.,The Veteran's left knee disability and skin condition need further examination to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's claim for a skin condition (pseudofolliculitis barbae) is being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are not productive of total occupational and social impairment, but his hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains denied. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension, but service connection cannot be established as there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's hypertension to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, increase in rating for anxiety disorder, and TDIU rating are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected asthma contributed to his death, and whether any other conditions listed were related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, migraines (secondary to undiagnosed illness), and a skin disability (xerosis). The other issues are remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as service connection for a cardiovascular disability to include high blood pressure and heart condition.