Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection is denied for all conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and basic eligibility for DEA benefits. The appellant's spouse is now eligible to receive these benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings consistently fell below the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DMII with erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hypertension and congestive heart failure were not shown to be related to his military service. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin disorder, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, were denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service, nor any probative medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, which was presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, may be secondary to CAD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying periods of active duty. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of hypertension during service.

The Board found that the cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The Veteran's disabilities, including hypertension and coronary artery disease, were initially demonstrated years after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and failure to provide proper VCAA notice. The Veteran's hypertension claim is being reviewed again with additional medical examination and updated VCAA notice.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated based on the need for insulin treatment and dietary restrictions.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent prior to April 14, 2008, and 30 percent from April 14, 2008.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity has been rated based on mild symptoms such as diminished sensation and reflexes.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity has been rated based on moderate symptoms such as pain and numbness prior to April 14, 2008, and moderately severe symptoms interfering with his ability to walk from that date forward.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been rated based on moderate symptoms such as pain and numbness prior to April 14, 2008, and moderately severe symptoms interfering with his ability to walk from that date forward.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been rated based on moderate symptoms such as pain and numbness prior to April 14, 2008, and moderately severe symptoms interfering with his ability to walk from that date forward.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated at a non-compensable level (null rating).,The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy has been rated based on visual acuity levels prior to April 14, 2008, and the severity of his vision impairment from that date forward.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records from the Chicago VAMC.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for high blood pressure and chronic prostatitis due to a need for further development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. K.W. and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a child of the Veteran for purposes of receiving VA benefits due to lack of evidence showing she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July [redacted], 2008 for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits, finding that he did not meet the non-age related criteria for non-service connected pension prior to his 65th birthday.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying all periods of active duty and inactive duty training with the Puerto Rico National Guard, conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's current back, right knee, left knee, cardiovascular (hypertension), and psychiatric disorders, and providing appropriate notice on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred during active military service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.