Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is found to have had its onset during service, and he is granted service connection. His hypertension is rated at the minimum of 10%.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left leg fracture and granted secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection for hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not begin during or within one year after service and there is no evidence to show that it is related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the medical evidence does not establish a link between his current hypertension and any service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and CVA residuals were not caused or permanently made worse by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed hypertension is not related to his active service, including exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD as a result of an in-service stressor or attributable to service. Diabetes mellitus type II was not shown to be related to service or secondary to service-connected conditions. Hypertension was also not shown to be related to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service, including elevated blood pressure readings therein, and whether it is caused by any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hypertension. The new evidence received since the last final denial relates to these conditions and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating them.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin disease, vascular diseases, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and kidney failure.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining his complete service personnel file, verifying in-service exposure to herbicides, and affording a VA examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to have begun in service and has continued since, granting service connection. The claim for an increased rating for hypertension with supraventricular tachycardia and sick sinus syndrome remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete treatment records and the need for VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction, and hypertension cannot be granted based on exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that further development is needed on both the service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hypertension, to include as secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran served in Kuwait and experienced symptoms such as insomnia and panic attacks after his service there. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, psoriasis, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not submitted. The Veteran's statements regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam were found to lack credibility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, do not render him unemployable without regard to his age.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran is not entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities. However, he meets the criteria for housebound status as a result of his multiple service-connected conditions and age over 65.