Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examinations, including an examination to determine whether diabetes caused worsening of hypertension and another audiologist's opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including fracture of the nose, carbuncles, an eye disorder, and hypertension. The claims were also addressed regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims for cervical myofascitis and chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hypertension and service connection for anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) and hearing loss with tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or service connection.

The Board denied service connection for numbness and tingling of the bilateral upper extremities but granted a 10% disability rating for hypertension, which is compensable.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant needs regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to disability. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records and other pertinent medical records. The claims will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and lung disability. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a current lung disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcoholism, which was a cause of his death from liver failure and other conditions, was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II, finding that the preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic headaches with complaints of dizziness, is being remanded due to the need for a thorough examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected hypertension, finding that the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim for service connection. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his current heart disability.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active duty military service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service, and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The skin disorder claim remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension and anxiety disorder are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The appeal is also remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, back disability, right shoulder disability, hypertension, and residuals of frozen feet are all granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected conditions, including hypertension. The cause of death was identified as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.