Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined schedular 100 percent evaluation was denied as there has been no adjustment of any evaluation assigned for service connected disabilities prior to October 30, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, service connection for various conditions, and reopening of previously denied claims were all denied by the Board. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to support his reopened claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder with hypertension and stomach condition, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disorder/disease, psychiatric disorder, hypertension, or headache disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The cause of death, carcinoma of unknown primary site (poorly differentiated papillary carcinoma), was not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and kidney failure as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease secondary to his PTSD has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability and hypertension was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating prior to April 3, 2007.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for major depression and hypertension, both secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were withdrawn. The Board also determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or hypertension, which are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development on the claims of service connection for hypertension and increased rating for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's hypertension is suspected to have onset in or was caused by service, while his hemorrhoids are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is a proximate cause of his hypertension, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The issue of a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed to his development of peripheral vascular disease/carotid artery disease, hypertension, and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). As such, these conditions are granted as secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Board is remanding the case for additional examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, with consideration of whether the diabetes mellitus chronically aggravates these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and for an increased rating for hypertension. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed left knee disability, and his hypertension was rated at 10 percent since December 1998.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient examination regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including systemic lupus erythematosus with anemia, thrombocytopenia, polyarthralgias and leucopenia, bronchitis (to include asthma), right knee arthritis, low back strain, temporomandibular joint subluxation, hypertension, and tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right foot, combine to a level of overall disablement that would likely render her unemployable given her vocational and educational circumstances. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is warranted.