Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his disabilities, particularly those related to vision impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple conditions were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. The claims for service connection for hypoglycemia and hypercholesterolemia (including hypertension) were denied as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence of unemployability solely due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 30, 1997.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for hypothyroidism and hypertension have been granted, with the current ratings of 30 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, which was already service-connected, warrants a 10% rating since May 1, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for secondary service connection based on PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing request.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hearing loss and middle ear cholesteatoma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, a genitourinary disorder, and a cardiac disability as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, as well as his increased rating claims for cold injury residuals in each foot and neuropathy of the lower extremities. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew his appeal on some issues prior to final action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during active duty or within one year after discharge. The claim was also not supported by sufficient continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that a 10 percent rating is warranted due to his need for continuous medication and diastolic pressure readings of predominantly 100 or more.

The appellant seeks nonservice-connected pension benefits due to unemployability caused by various medical conditions. The case is remanded for further examination and rating of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and hypertension, including their onset and relationship to his diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of hepatitis C, hypertension, or a left hernia scar. The claim for service connection was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show these conditions preexisted his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including requesting an addendum to a VA examination report and providing the Veteran's representative with the claims folder.

The Veteran's ocular hypertension and glaucoma suspect were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The Veteran's cerebral abscesses have been rated at a 20 percent disability rating for residual fine tremors of the hand, effective December 1, 2006.

The Veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C, with associated liver damage claims were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The psychiatric disorder claim is pending due to the need for additional mental health records.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted service connection. His hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia remain denied.