Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes and psychiatric disorders, were denied as the evidence did not support a link to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, arthritis, hypertension, and arteriosclerotic heart disease and/or congestive heart failure are proximately due to his service-connected bronchial asthma. The disability ratings for these conditions remain unchanged as they were already in place prior to this decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, nor may it be presumed to be incurred in or aggravated by such service. The Veteran's hypertension is also not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, traumatic amputation of the right thumb, hypertension, and tinnitus, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a need for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a VA hearing officer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, right and left shoulder tendonitis, depressive disorder, cervical spondylosis, lumbar degenerative discs, a left knee disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a left pelvic disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sinus residuals of a rhinoplasty and septoplasty, a left foot disorder, hypertension, genitourinary (urethral) disorder, and rosacea on the nose, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 1, 2001. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for TDIU throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a verified stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension, stroke, sexual dysfunction, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) are pending.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease or atherosclerotic heart disease. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim on appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to hypertension, as well as his claims for nonservice-connected death pension benefits and accrued benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis and granted service connection. Service connection was also granted for hypertension, but not for vision loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new evidence did not reopen his hypertension claim but denying all other issues on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital in February 2006 was denied because the services were not authorized by VA and the Veteran had other health care coverage under Medicare.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension pre-existed his service and was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension and CAD with congestive heart failure, claiming these conditions are secondary to his service-connected tachycardia. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the current extent and etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.