Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is likely due to service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nervous system disorder and a circulatory disorder, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to it. The case is being remanded for a VA medical opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining investigative reports and medical records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted, as his diagnosis is linked to combat-related stressors during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The issue of reopening his hypertension claim is also granted.

The Board is reopening the claims for service connection for hypertension, skin disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability on the basis of new and material evidence. The claims will be remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for further development before readjudication.

The Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have been addressed. The claims for service connection are granted with the appropriate ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus. The medical evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for skin cancer, to include malignant melanoma. The Veteran was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in March 2001 and a private physician opined that his in-service sun exposure contributed to its formation. A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's malignant melanoma was due to cumulative effect of his sun exposure during and after service, or post-service exposure alone.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms of consistent sleeping problems, hypervigilant behavior, bouts of depression, nightmares, avoidance of social contact and isolative behavior, aural hallucinations and assaultive behavior without suicidal or homicidal ideation. The Veteran's claim for entitlement to a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD from the original date of his claim, November 16, 2004, is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease with history of myocardial infarction and bilateral stent replacement (diagnosed as coronary artery disease) due to new and material evidence. The claims are granted as these conditions are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his dermatophytosis and hypertension.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 21, 2006 were denied as the treatment was not for an emergent condition and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and left ankle disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension was initially noted in service and has been treated since then, granting service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 31, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not directly related to his service and could not be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Board also determined that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his Type 2 diabetes mellitus and his hypertension, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including verifying his address and scheduling a videoconference hearing.