Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective January 28, 2009. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for hypertension, sleep apnea, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and diabetes mellitus were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of VA treatment records from the last twenty years of the Veteran's life. The appellant must provide additional medical records for consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of bilateral inguinal hernia, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to assess his employability and consideration of whether he meets the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for hepatitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for cerebrovascular disease with residual mild left upper extremity weakness associated with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy remains in effect, rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability and hypertension are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and insufficient information on his alleged service stressors.

The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent prior to December 1, 2007 and increased to a compensable rating of 10 percent from December 1, 2007 to the present.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether it is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected PTSD, and if so, whether it has been aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a link between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current cardiomyopathy with atrial fibrillation or hypertension, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hypertension, finding no clear and unmistakable error in their previous decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claims of hypertension with postoperative residuals of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, as well as kidney disease including nephropathy, both claimed as secondary to service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be related to his active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange in service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the basic eligibility criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, nor does his home require special adaptations based on his current level of disability.

The Board has decided that a VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, and the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities warrants a rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claimed cardiac and headache symptoms are not service-connected as due to an undiagnosed illness or other disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current cardiovascular and migraine conditions are attributable to known clinical diagnoses, which were not manifest during his military service or for several years thereafter.