Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Dialysis Clinic, Incorporated in March, April and May of 2008 were not covered by VA because prior authorization was not obtained. The services provided were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, liver disability, and chronic renal insufficiency are not service connected. The claims for secondary service connection for these conditions also lack legal merit.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his now service-connected hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sinusitis, finding no current clinical diagnosis of these conditions in his records. The Veteran's skin disorder and psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) were not addressed due to insufficient information.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service and granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to multiple disabilities, including his right knee and low back conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, persistent hepatitis, and an unspecified joint disability were denied. The effective date of the increased rating for low back strain was set at November 12, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, as they are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board denied entitlement to earlier effective dates for nonservice-connected pension and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that there was no evidence of permanent total disability or need for regular aid and attendance prior to November 8, 1996.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hypertension, headaches, and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records, ensure proper notification under VCAA, and provide a comprehensive analysis of the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an updated VA examination and addressing inconsistencies in previous medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining treatment records from the Roudebush VAMC since October 2008.

The Veteran's hypertension and chronic pulmonary tuberculosis are both service-connected, with the hypertension rated at 20% prior to November 29, 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, macular degeneration, vertigo, and headaches.