Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board hearing in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Veteran's hypertension is not compensable, and his thoracolumbar spine disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran received unauthorized medical expenses for treatment on March 29, 2008 at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center due to flu-like symptoms and hypertension. The care was not authorized by VA, but the Veteran met one of the criteria (service-connected disability) required under 38 C.F.R. § 17.120(a)(3). However, the Board found that reimbursement is denied because there was no evidence of a medical emergency or non-feasibility of VA facilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no current diagnosis of hypertension and noting that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service blood pressure readings and any current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied, and his claim for a higher rating for psoriatic arthritis from September 1, 2004 was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need to verify his current mailing address and obtain VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability. The appellant's claim for accrued benefits was also denied as it was not filed in a timely manner.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current respiratory disability or hypertension related to active military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims. The Veteran's hypertension and kidney disorder are reopened, but further development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a syphilis infection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran does not have hypertension or peripheral vascular disease that is attributable to his period of active military service.,Hypertension was diagnosed prior to the onset of diabetes, when the Veteran was 54 years old. The VA examiner opined that it was not likely related to and/or aggravated by diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling appropriate examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and right knee disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred during military service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The appeal will be remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities are all rated at their maximum allowable levels under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on housebound status was denied as he does not meet the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1521(e) due to his nonservice-connected disabilities and lack of permanent total disability rating.