Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for service connection of malignant x-monomorphous adenoma with metastases to the lung and brain, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent prior to September 28, 2007, and is rated as 100 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding whether the appellant is substantially confined to her home or immediate premises by reason of disability or disabilities reasonably certain to remain throughout her lifetime.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, hypertension, and status-post right great toenail excision are all rated at the lowest possible compensable levels. The Board found that none of these conditions warranted a higher rating based on their current manifestations.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of prostatitis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hypertension. The issues related to PTSD, right ankle shell fragment wound, low back strain, and left ankle shell fragment wound were also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. The cervical spine disability was granted a higher rating after April 26, 2006, while other conditions like gastritis, hemorrhoids, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left wrist, PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, and vertigo/dizziness (claimed as dizziness) were not established as service-connected.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board found that his claimed stressors were consistent with his military service and sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD, thus granting the claim.

The Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or for many years after discharge.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his blood pressure readings did not consistently exceed the thresholds required for a higher rating. The current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of its onset in service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical records review.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease and status post coronary artery bypass graft, finding that the Veteran's conditions are likely to have had their clinical onset during his period of active service.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. Service connection was also denied for high blood pressure due to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as the overall record supports a finding that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran and resolves all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with peptic ulcers were denied. The Veteran's service connection claims are based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is manifested by a history of diastolic pressure that is predominantly 100 or more, which requires continuous medication for control. The Board finds the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for his hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and hypertension were denied. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was not addressed as it is not part of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a chronic disorder other than hypertension due to ionizing radiation exposure, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and opinions from a physician.