Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is due to his hypertension and COPD, both of which are related to service. The Board grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no direct link to the Veteran's period of active duty and noting that the evidence did not show a nexus between his current condition and any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's hypertension with supraventricular tachycardia, finding that his clinical findings did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for these conditions. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains pending as remanded.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the lack of examination for certain disabilities and remanded the case back to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability, including as secondary to PTSD, and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of new regulations.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left tibia and fibula fracture do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on objective orthopedic or neurologic residuals.

The Veteran's medical expenses for treatment of congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and thyroid were reimbursed as they fell under the criteria for payment or reimbursement in a non-VA facility.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease due to potential issues with the examination report, including whether his diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his hypertension. The AMC is also instructed to obtain additional medical records from various facilities.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control and is manifested by systolic pressure of 160 or more. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension, which is separate and apart from his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, and prostate disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service or any aspect thereof.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if VA facilities were available and whether using them beforehand would have been hazardous to life or health, as these are medical determinations beyond its jurisdiction.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not have qualifying service for VA pension benefits. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as well.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board or Video Conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge in accordance with the Veteran's preference.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, high cholesterol, hypertension, and elevated eye pressure to include glaucoma were denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted with a rating of 20%. His claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depression, which constitutes a complete grant of the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim. As such, no discussion of VA's duty to notify or assist is necessary.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was granted, and the effective date for service connection for his complications due to type II diabetes mellitus was set at September 10, 2003. The TDIU award was also granted with a retroactive effective date of September 10, 2003.