Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his hypertension.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent rating for hypertension, effective March 1, 2007. The heart condition claim is remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled hearing and her request for new representation. Additionally, updated VCAA notice is required.

The Veteran is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly pension benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension caused or contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, did not manifest within one year of service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim for hypertension was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (mood disorder with psychotic features) caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's asthma was not found to warrant a higher rating, and his obstructive sleep apnea was determined not to be related to his GERD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his withdrawal of claims in writing, which was deemed irrational at the time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if there is any relationship between the Veteran's current hypertension and his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred in service. The other claims of service connection are not addressed as they are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and colon cancer, as well as his PTSD rating claim. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining records from USAMRIID and providing VCAA compliant notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease were not incurred during active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's hypertension was not diagnosed until decades after service and is not due to or aggravated by his military service or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all theories of entitlement, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran had pending claims for service connection and special monthly compensation at the time of his death. The appellant, as a sibling, is not eligible to receive accrued benefits due to the Veteran's receipt of special monthly pension benefits that exceeded his service-connected compensation entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus, and a low back disorder have been granted. The claim for residuals of a left ankle fracture has also been reopened.