Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated in service and is denied. The Veteran does not have the loss of all anterior or posterior teeth, so a compensable rating for his loss of teeth numbers 1, 2, 14, 15, 17, 18, 31, and 32 is also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, but less than 110; systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, but less than 200; and requires continuous medication for control. The Board finds that he is entitled to an initial 10 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted a noncompensable rating, and his low back disorder is service connected with a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including abdominal aneurysm, hypertension, renal dysfunction, prostate disability, and respiratory disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death. This includes obtaining medical opinions and private treatment records, as well as ensuring proper notification under VCAA.

The Veteran's elevated prostate specific antigen levels are not considered a disability and are denied service connection. The Board finds no evidence linking the hypertension to service or Agent Orange exposure, but acknowledges that it is treated following service. Hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's hypertension was also found to be related to in-service onset.,Service connection is established for a back disability due to its relationship with the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, and for hypertension which began during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including VA examinations for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and low back disability due to incomplete medical records and further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not result in the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to its severity. Other nonservice-connected conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, GERD, and peripheral vascular disease are more significant contributors to his functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of seizures or a medical disorder associated with seizures. The evidence does not support service connection for a seizure disorder. For hypertension, while the appellant currently has a diagnosis, there is no evidence to support its onset during service or as being related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and gout are not related to his service or service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart condition are being reviewed due to his service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions were aggravated by service or otherwise related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension began during his active military service and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The other conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and an increased rating of 20 percent for benign prostatic hypertrophy. The Veteran's hypertension was first diagnosed during active duty, while his BPH is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic pain syndrome with major depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his hypertension disability.